I WISH to respond to Coun Galloway's comments in your report about the libel and defamation against me by York's Liberal Democrats (August 27).

This type of attack brings politics into disrepute and goes some way to accounting for the lack of interest in local elections.

May I say to all your readers and Coun Galloway that in my 34 years of political activity and in the thousands of written words for which I have been responsible, not once have I deliberately libelled or smeared a political opponent, a principle I have no intention of abandoning.

Throughout my political life I have always endeavoured to be honest, truthful and, above all, to maintain my integrity. Honesty in politics is of paramount importance, not always welcome, but an essential attribute of the elected representative.

I have long since abandoned irrelevant political point-scoring. I now concentrate on doing that which is right and beneficial to the people of York.

That, in my opinion, is acting like a truly grown-up politician.

Coun John Galvin,

Copmanthorpe Ward,

Bridge Road,

Bishopthorpe, York.

Updated: 10:35 Tuesday, September 10, 2002