AN angry councillor has demanded that senior City of York Council officers be reprimanded for disciplining city archivist Rita Freedman.

Mrs Freedman received a written warning for insubordination after she wrote to alert councillors of proposals to move the archives from the city centre to the University of York.

Last night, Councillor David Wilde told the newly-formed Friends of the City Archives of his actions - and received a vote of thanks.

He told the Evening Press: "When I heard that this disciplinary action had been taken against her, my reaction was that the officers, who had taken part in carrying that out, should themselves be reprimanded.

"I think it is a disgrace that the council has proceeded further with these matters when many councillors think it had gone too far in the first place."

Coun Wilde named Charlie Croft, acting head of the leisure office, and Sandra Bicknell, assistant director of the museum service, as the two officers he would want to see reprimanded for acting without the consent of councillors.

He said: "I, for one, am totally against any action taken against Rita, and I think a lot of councillors feel the same way.

"Of all the people at the council, she's one of the best, most loyal and hard-working officers, who wrote this letter because she cares whole-heartedly about the future of the archives."

Mrs Freedman wrote her letter as council officers and the University of York discussed the possibility of moving the archives, currently next to York City Art Gallery, to the University of York campus.

Public services union UNISON told the Evening Press that it would treat Mrs Freedman's warning as victimisation, and would be prepared to take legal action.

Mr Croft said: "All the correct and full procedures have been followed. If Rita wanted to appeal then that would be heard by members of the council and, if they think action taken is wrong, then they can overturn it."

A City of York Council spokesman said: "This was an internal disciplinary matter which was handled in accordance with long agreed procedures. It was not a matter for councillors."

Mrs Bicknell has been contacted by the Evening Press, but declined to comment.