COUNCILLOR Paul Brierley is new and comparatively inexperienced, and we must, I suppose, be prepared to make allowances for his inexperience.

Anyone who has worked in an office in a large and bureaucratic organisation knows that from time to time there will be inappropriate sexual approaches, and there are well established ways of dealing with these. Bolton MBC has for a number of years had well established and tested procedures for dealing with such matters, in ways which both enable individual employees to seek protection, and which protect other employees from unjust and untrue accusations.

It follows that doing an exhibition rant in the Council Chamber and waving about a list of alleged victims, while being unwilling to supply details to the authorities, is neither the most appropriate nor the most effective way of dealing with such issues.

During the 13 years that I was Chair of Personnel at Bolton MBC, I chaired many member-level appeals against dismissal, and these included a couple of cases of harassment, one sexual, and one bullying. In both instances, the case was properly made, in both instances the Panel confirmed the original management recommendation of dismissal, and both cases were subsequently and successfully defended at Industrial Tribunals. I have reason to believe that the message which this sent to all employees was a positive and supportive one.

As to the "Cesspit of immorality" -- 27 formal complaints over two years for an organisation employing upwards of 6,000 employees ain't much of a cesspit. Councillor Paul Brierley needs to develop a sense of proportion.

Peter D Johnston

Kendal Road, Bolton