LAST week's letter from Cheryl Jones, Coleford, criticising myself regarding the council meeting held on April 11 was clearly politically motivated. Council records and evidence show that she did not even attend the meeting, so could not have been the real writer!

It was agreed by the Conservative, Independent and Labour leaders that there would be no tributes to Baroness Thatcher because of differing views. However councillor Marrilyn Smart OBE, wanted to be treated differently which I could not allow, otherwise 40 other member would also want to voice their opinions.

I suspect Cheryl Jones, Coleford, agreed to 'lend' her name to the letter composed by desperate political activists, who wished to remain anonymous.

Attempting to discredit myself and other Independent candidates just before council elections is the unacceptable face of party politics. Margaret Thatcher was also a victim of political backstabbing when she was ousted from office by her own cabinet and MPs. I'll leave it to readers to draw their own conclusion and I will continue to identify the source.

PS, I don't regard using my casting vote to remove car parking charges at Mitcheldean as sitting on the fence!

Councillor Norman Stephens

Independent