Board wrong to publicise cases

It is with deep regret that we saw the article, Shropshire Star, August 28, on page 17 and a small piece on the front page: "Councillors will not face conduct probe."

We are taking this whole matter up through our MP and the local Standards Committee.

We believe it is wrong the Standards Board for England should be permitted to publish names and claims of "misconduct" of those whose cases have not been referred to an officer for further investigation.

Many such cases are politically motivated; acceptable evidence has not been produced, or the accusations are not pursued by the claimant.

Most importantly the accused have had no opportunity to answer the accusations or prove their innocence. In the sight of the law you are innocent until proven guilty.

In the article the impression is given, particularly with the captions under the photos, that we are guilty of some "misdemeanour". This seems to us most unfair and bordering on defamation of character.

Mrs Sandford particularly regrets the photo which is of her wearing the mayoral chain, taken in 2003/4.

We would like to assure both editor and readers, that to receive a letter notifying you of a complaint in the first place from the Standards Board of England is a sickening experience even before reading the contents. But to see it headlined in a newspaper is most upsetting.

We hope Parliament will ensure that in future only the names of those found guilty will be made public.

Cllr Mrs Eileen Sandford & Cllr Jonathan Tandy, Shrewsbury