Openness and honesty are the watchwords of my leadership of Essex County Council and I am a firm believer in informing taxpayers of how the council spends their money.

Therefore I am dismayed at the accusations in the Echo that we at County Hall are trying to hide the facts about Lord Hanningfield’s expenses and deliberately not answering questions.

I have made it very plain that on advice from the police and legal representatives that no one from the administration or senior officers can discuss these matters in detail while the police investigation is underway, as to do so could jeopardise these inquiries.

I am sure every Echo reader would understand this position clearly and how unwise it would be to go against this advice.

I have also explained in public that as soon as I am able to make information public I will.

We are hiding nothing.

Just because it doesn’t fit in with an editorial deadline or the chance to score political points from other parties, it is no reason not to allow due legal process to take place.

Please remember it was me, in conjunction with the chief executive, who referred this matter to the police in the first place.

I have also pledged we will publish all itemised credit cards details as soon as we are able to after the investigation, as well as freedom of information responses and relevant internal audit reports.

As a matter of interest, the Lib Dem leader at County Hall has been kept informed and he has sat on internal audit panels which have discussed this matter.

I have no problem with fair and honest reporting, but misleading articles do little to restore faith in politics or journalism.

Peter Martin
Leader, Essex County Council
County Hall
Chelmsford