I HAVE watched with horror the comments made by Councillor Tommy Woodward regarding the death of Allan Ellis. Mr Woodward says he is anti-field-sports. That is a reasonable point of view and the pros and cons of that debate have gone on for a long time and I will not get involved in that here as it does not seem relevant.
I have read quotes from Mr Woodward about the death of Mr Ellis, who committed suicide by shooting himself last August. I can only describe them as atrocious, cruel and vicious and seem aimed to cause the maximum distress to the bereaved family. That anyone, let alone someone in public life, should say such things is deeply offensive. When you enter public life there are certain standards to be observed.
As a local councillor, Mr Woodward is supposed to represent the views of people living in his ward, that is all of the people, not just the ones who voted for him, but also the ones who voted against against him and indeed the ones who did not vote at all.
Does he think that making such comments about the death of a fellow human being represents their views or does he think that is not important and he can say anything he likes? Did he ask any of his constituents about what he was going to to say to test their opinion or does he see himself as another one of the self-entitled politicians?
Sadly, in my career I have on several occasions had to deal with the family and relatives of people who have chosen to take their own lives. The effect is devastating and some people never recover from the trauma.
I can only hope the good people of Pickering remove you from office at the next election, or, of course, you could do the honourable thing and resign. Shame on you for dragging the good name of Pickering and its people through the gutter.
Ray Jewitt, Hexham
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