NOT only has City of York Council failed miserably regarding car-parking charges, recycling and the firework display, it has now failed to disclose the details surrounding the suspension and departure of the former commercial services director David Finnegan ("You've got no right to know", November 19).

The claim by David Atkinson, the council's chief executive, that the public interest is "better served" by refusing to reveal the information I find highly amusing. What he is really trying to say is that the council taxpayers of York would be in uproar if the truth was revealed.

Mr Atkinson should remember he is a public servant and custodian of public money and has a duty to be open and honest with the people he is serving. It would appear to me for someone to be suspended from their duties something untoward has happened. As the saying goes: there's no smoke without fire.

Mr Atkinson said the agreement includes clauses "which mean that disclosure in this case could result in legal action which, I am advised, would be likely to succeed at further cost to the taxpayer".

I find it quite remarkable that the council has entered into such an agreement. This once again asks a serious question about the competence of the individuals involved.

Mr C C Pickering,

Rowntree Wharf,

York.

Updated: 09:25 Thursday, December 01, 2005