I READ my colleague's - Cllr Andy Dyke's - comments with regret. Whilst not being witness to the incident Cllr Rencher was involved in, nor in any way condoning it, I was aware that he was at the time under very considerable personal pressures.

After the issue was referred to the Standard's Board, I was approached by Paul Rencher asking if I would be prepared to write a supportive letter to the Standard's Committee in advance of their hearing and this I did.

In it I referred to his considerable efforts and time expended in reflecting the views and concerns of his electorate on ward issues and expressed the view that it would be regrettable that these would be lost to those who voted for him should this committee have decided upon a period of suspension. Perhaps it is worth noting that he was elected whilst a number of our councillors - myself included - were co-opted.

The Standard's Committee - a body duly constituted and delegated with the specific job of thorough examination of all the facts, evidence and circumstances - thought fit not to suspend but they certainly did not exonerate Cllr Rencher as the decision summary published elsewhere in your Journal will confirm. Formal written censure was imposed and for his behaviour Cllr Rencher has made apology.

It would, I think, have been preferable for all concerned to have accepted this and moved on.

TONY LYON, Evesham Town Councillor, South Ward, Lindsey Avenue, Evesham.