Madam, In 1940, German public servants drew up lists of Jews and ordered apparatus for gassing and incinerating them - the Holocaust. We know of this through the publications of a free press.

In 1962, the terrorist Nelson Mandela, was sent to prison by South African public servants. He was released in 1990 and became the President of his country. This came about through the world-wide activity of a free press.

In 2002, Councillor Betty Howells of Brockhampton was reported by public servants for refusing to break the contract she had signed with the electors who had appointed her. She has been banned from office for a year. We know of this through the Hereford Times of June 5.

Is a free press our only defence against the shabby, un-British brutality of the state juggernaut?

Nine former parish councillors whose term of office ended in May 2003 have been disqualified from parish council office until June 2004. Other former councillors are in line for disqualification.

They have been punished for keeping faith with their electors. If these councillors wish to contest this shabby un-British process, they can take legal action at their own expense. If they wish to appeal the adjudication panel verdict they can go to the High Court, again at their own expense.

I should like to propose a way the citizens of Herefordshire can mark their opinion of this disreputable process. I suggest they write to record support for victims of this state bullying, for the past service they have given to their communities.

I should like to nominate the nine former councillors already gazetted which would include the clerk and councillor for more than 15 years for Brockhampton Council, Mrs. Betty Howells.

Dr J F W Bishop

Brockhampton, Hereford.