I HOPE it will not cause too much surprise that I am writing to express some sympathy with both the point made in Mr Beaman's letter and the editor's comment in response.
The editor is right: whistleblowers' are entitled to protection - whether they work for the council, the Citizen or any other organisation. Mr Beaman is also right, political letters should carry a name and address and not be written anonymously or written under some unpleasant sounding pseudonym. Could not these principles form the basis for a new code of conduct for letter pages?
May I suggest that other local political leaders join me in urging the local press to accept this suggested code of conduct. It will ensure fair, honest and open political debate while giving full protection for whistleblowers.
Stanley Henig
Council leader
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