I AM writing following recent coverage of what was said to be a Home Office assessment of towns who have applied for the honour of city status.

I want to assure your readers that we are nowhere near the end of the selection process.

The document mentioned in recent press reports was a preliminary note drawn up by a small group of officials in the Home Office.

Ministers had not seen the note nor made considered judgements about the relative merits of the applications.

The leak of the document has misled many people about our views and I can only apologise for that.

I would like to assure you that it is not the case that criteria have been set but not disclosed.

Each application will be considered on its individual merits.

The honour of city status offers a unique opportunity for communities up and down the country to celebrate and promote their sense of civic pride.

I very much hope that process will continue.

Mike O'Brien MP,

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State,

Home Office.