Sir, I read with interest the most enlightening and informative letter from PC Clr. Jacob Williams (Tenby Observer, October 24) and the reply and excuse offered by PC Clr. David Pugh (Tenby Observer, October 31). Despite whatever excuse and explanation Mr. Pugh offered, the fact remains that the discussion to sanction the Golden Handshake to Mr. Parry Jones, was carried out behind closed doors. In my view, the very fact that it was decided to give away public money to a person in whom PCC had no confidence, was a slap in the face to all employees of PCC - not to mention ratepayers; couple this with the fact that the amount offered was in fact somewhere in the region of 15 years salary to some of those employees. Very nice indeed some may say; I say downright disgusting. Reading other reports regarding the whole fiasco at County Hall, it would appear that the outgoing incumbent was on occasion less than polite, churlish and childish in his remarks. Not someone I would wish to have control over all the activities of Pembrokeshire County Council. It is my opinion that all those councillors who were elected as independent, should now be honest and show their true colours and let their electorate know to which political party they are really affiliated. Come on, I dare you to do this, what have you got to be afraid of? Thank goodness we have got at least one spokesperson in Jacob Williams who is not afraid to stand up and be Independent and relate the facts as they are.

Jane Hall, Pentlepoir.