WITH many others, I have followed the recent extended coverage of Councillor Mohammed Khan's job application to the Blackburn Racial Equality Council. There were many critical articles and editorials presenting all sorts of allegations.

Now, the truth and the true facts of the case are with us following an investigation by an outside national body.

What stands out from this case is that Coun Khan was proven guilty before a trial. But in this country the saying goes that you are innocent until you have been found guilty.

Not so here. There were repetitive calls from councillors, politicians and the media for his resignation.

Yet only last year the court convicted two councillors of fraud. One was cleared on appeal. The remaining councillor was fined. He stayed on, unchallenged, until his council seat came to an end at the May elections.

There was no call here from political party officers, councillors or the media for resignations. Absent also were emotive, almost hysterical articles and leaders drawing to the individual's attention his behaviour and continued position as an elected representative. Again, last year, a local councillor applied, was interviewed and accepted a job on the Blackburn Ethnic Minority Development Association. This body is grant-aided by the Blackburn and Darwen Borough Council.

The councillor is still in post. A fellow councillor colleague, in fact, was a member of the interview panel which appointed him.

What can this amount to from objective appraisal of what has taken place? It is that, consistently, there is one set of standards and rules for one person, another for the rest. That the events have been singular and discriminatory. And the principles of natural justice, historically a part of individual rights in this country, were conveniently and in some respects, deliberately, ignored.

A RAMA, Palatine Road, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.