I WAS absolutely delighted to read Coun Patrick Mewton's letter (Your Letters, May 17) giving details of the expenses he suggests were due to the MTAG campaign and even more pleased the editor (in Opinion) had destroyed these claims; he has saved me from having to make the same points.

MTAG never "'pressurised the former clerk into requesting early retirement". As the saying goes 'if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen'. Apparently the council never considered the option of asking him to resign, not to take early retirement. This would have cost the council nothing, and no, it would not have resulted in a claim for constructive dismissal.

Coun Mewton had forgotten to include one further high cost in his list - that of having to retain the services of an expensive temporary finance officer. His job was to introduce the financial systems which the previous clerk had failed to do before MTAG came on the scene. At least we now know how much things cost!

COUN KEITH PHILLIPS, leader MTAG Councillors, Avenue Road, Great Malvern.