IT seems my comments about John Major and his reticence to answer readers' questions have angered those concerned for his public image.

The first complaint came from one of his press aides Sheila Gunn. London-based Ms Gunn, colloquially known as one of the Tories top spin doctors, was upset that we had criticised the Premier for failing to answer the questions put to him by Warrington voters.

Second came a letter from James Fuke, the regional campaign executive for the North West Conservatives, who I quote: "was disappointed to read the article and believe the Warrington Guardian has behaved in a highly irresponsible manner."

Mr Fuke, who appears on the official letterhead as James Fuke OBE, goes on to say that this newspaper published details of Mr Major's recent secret trip to Warrington before he arrived.

He also claims this newspaper did not arrange a date for Mr Major's replies to be sent back to us.

Sadly you are misinformed Mr Fuke on both counts...

We asked for replies for our following week's paper ... they were still missing a month later.

And for security reasons this newspaper decided not to release exact details of Mr Major's planned visit to the Hawthorne Centre. The location was revealed by a freelance newsagency who sold their story to the Manchester Evening News and the Liverpool Echo.

I understand the agency was tipped off by a senior representative of Warrington Borough Council.

Now presumably that person was made aware of the visit personally and broke that confidence or even worse heard about the visit through someone else.

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