I am in no position to and wouldn’t choose to make any comment on the specific issues surrounding this matter (‘Councillor facing debt allegations loses whip’, July 22) however I do think that a very clear transparent public explanation is legitimately required from the Epping Forest District Council majority Conservative group as to why a councillor elected under the Conservative Party banner in May, a mere three months ago, is no longer able to sit as member of their group.

This apparent arrogance of a lack of an explanation to the residents of Epping Forest and particular the residents of the Chigwell Grange Hill ward is in my opinion not only unacceptable but also reflective in part of the arrogant style the Conservative group often chooses to adopt as regards deciding the affairs of our local district council.

Stephen Murray

Independent Loughton Councillor