Judy Johnston, of Church Rd, Dartmouth, writes:

I refer to the front page article regarding the expenses claim that has been criticised by a fellow councillor.

The wrongs and rights of the matter are something that should be decided by the council, in private, and should never have been allowed to become newspaper fodder.

I question the integrity of both the council and the paper for not recognising that this smacks of trial by media. And for the record £83.25 seems a paltry amount to recompense someone committed enough to have sacrificed a day's work, and given of valuable time.