OVER the last couple of months, there have been numerous letters published from members of Great Harwood Labour Party, which can only be described as black propaganda.

Letters from former Councillors George Slynn and David Forshaw and Labour Party Secretary Barbara Sharples would lead people to believe that the Tory councillors and Independent Adrian Shurmer are against the proposed development of a Safeway supermarket in the town - which is not true.

This development was first put before the people of Great Harwood as an election ploy by Messrs Slynn and Forshaw to aid their re-election, something which failed miserably. But for these people to now say that there is a blanket dislike for this project is absolutely rubbish.

It would be totally out of order for any councillor of any party to make statements on this development before it goes to the development services committee. This was outlined only too well when the proposed development was scaled down. The fact of the matter is that the then leader of the council, George Slynn, was totally out of order making statements to the public on this issue in the run-up to the elections in May, more so since he was also the chairman of the development committee. As committee chairman, he compromised his position totally. He should have kept quiet and waited for the planning application being submitted.

His support for this development as sweetener to the electorate was out of order.

I have no doubt that Councillors Peter Clarke, Win Frankland, Lynn Wilson and Adrian Shurmer will take the right decision on the Safeways development - based solely on planning law and in the best interests of the people of Great Harwood.

So, come on, George and Co, cut out the sour grapes. You were well and truly beaten in May - a defeat you richly deserved.

JOHN D FARRER, Mallard Place, Oswaldtwistle.

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