ONCE again Nellie Copson is in the headlines. I have expressed the view that any true friend of Miss Copson's will encourage her to do one of two things - pay the council taxes due or to allow the council to have details of her financial resources.

I try to read and hear anything that Miss Copson says so that we may continue to have a compassionate understanding of her position. I saw and heard her say: "How can I pay two taxes on an OAP's pension?" There is a positive answer to that. No-one expects her to do so if she would only give details of her financial position, and if all she has is an OAP's pension then the payments can be waived.

I would ask everyone - media and residents of Droitwich Spa - to ask Miss Copson why she will not do this.

The council has good evidence that she does have the ability to pay. We now know from her statements that she has already incurred a bill of £1,000 on legal costs and contemplates more.

Miss Copson owes it to the other old aged pensioners of Wychavon who dutifully pay their bills to come clean and answer the question. If she does not, I hope the public will judge this matter accordingly.

Malcolm Meikle,

Leader of Wychavon District Council.