I WOULD like to comment on the article headlined "Gagged from making speech," (Wednesday, February 9) regarding the disrespectful treatment of Mary Dhonau, by certain county councillors during a meeting at County Hall.

I attended the Cabinet meeting at County Hall on Tuesday, February 8, as a concerned mother to hear the outcome of the vote on the latest LEA proposals on the re-structuring of Special Needs Education, which will affect my daughter's school, Thornton House.

The atmosphere from the outset, was very hostile towards Mary Dhonau (the mother of an autistic boy, who also attends Thornton House). Before she began her speech, Mary made it very clear that she was there to speak as a mother, and not as a prospective parliamentary candidate.

Mary continued her speech, and made the very valid point, that if Rigby Hall Special School in Bromsgrove were to close, the new generic schools in Worcester would have to be big enough to cope with the extra number of children.

In other words, she was warning the councillors to consider all eventualities before voting the proposals through.

Mary was abruptly stopped from speaking by Council Leader Councillor George Lord (Conservative) who told her that she could not speak based on "pre-suppositions."

Mary Dhonau had every right to have her say as a concerned mother and I feel that her treatment at that meeting was shocking.

My mother accompanied me to the meeting, and we were both appalled and disappointed by the actions of certain council members.

These councillors have been voted in by members of the public. I wonder how many of these voters have actually attended meetings to see what happens.

I thought we lived in a democratic society, where everyone has a right to their opinions being heard. But it was obvious from what I observed at County Hall, that it's OK to make a speech, if the majority of the councillors agree with what you have to say.

If not, sit down and shut up!

SUZANNE FILDES,

Malvern.