THE pious contribution from Councillor Tony Harrison (Letters, May 18) is typical of the misrepresentation which has dogged the debate on standards in local government arising out of the Burnley Council housing allocations inquiry.

Essentially, the two councillors who were slapped on the wrist were victims of an absurd situation in which a virtually theoretical misdemeanour was blown up into a seemingly heinous offence.

This ridiculous inflation of a non-existent problem suited the paid Labour Party hirelings in London who are charged with obtaining maximum publicity for clampdowns on local councils and those councillors who, like Coun Harrison, are anxious to be seen to be following the line laid down from Millbank Tower.

Councillors Jack Alston and Eddie Fisk were guilty of nothing more than making it clear that they are against the importation of neighbours from hell into the Lowerhouse Ward they represent. They have nothing to apologise for and nothing at all to repent. I am sure that as independent councillors they will continue to maintain the interests of their electors as their first priority.

The most telling condemnation of the housing allocations storm in a teacup came when a majority of Labour councillors voted to ditch Kath Reade as their leader.

Her demise was a very clear reflection of the distaste most councillors had for the way the matter was handled and, in my own view at least, a richly deserved come-uppance.

HARRY BROOKS, (Independent Group Leader, Burnley Council), Bouldsworth Road, Burnley.

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