ACCORDING to your masthead the Courier is an independent paper.

Your excessive exposure of the prospective Tory parliamentary candidate and slighting reference to Liberal Democrats show that you are no more politically independent than the Daily Telegraph or Daily Mail.

Not long ago you published a photograph of Sally Morgan, after she had become prospective Lib Dem candidate for Central Devon, without identifying her as such, yet in the same issue her Tory counterpart was properly identified.

Why not admit that the Courier is a staunch Tory organ and your premises a virtual Conservative Party office on the High Street?

Another example of political bias: When you printed a piece about the opening of the Liberal Democrat Yellow Bookshop in the High Street after replanning and refurbishment, you put the account next to an article dedicated to the prospective Tory candidate.

The Lib Dem Shop has, for years, been one of the town's chief assets, providing a valued service in the High Street. Thanks to donations from well-wishers, the new Yellow Bookshop sells distinctive books at bargain prices – it's as good as a west-end library service.

With secondhand bookshops tragically closing down all over the country, we are fortunate to have ours. Its reopening deserved recognition in your paper, free of political spin.

On page 10 of your June 12 issue, in an editorial article, you make your allegiance even more plain, rejoicing at the Tory victory in the recent Devon County Council elections and drawing attention to the vote for the victorious Lib Dem candidate, Nick Way, being "down on the Council election four years ago".

You say that the Tory success will be welcoming to "many in Crediton", above all, campaigners against the current Exeter road plans.

The reason you give is that "Conservatives attending a recent meeting of Crediton Traffic Action' declared opposition to the Western route, whilst the Lib Dems proposed it when in office – hence a Tory Council will be more "responsive" to appeals for its abandonment.

I'm not privy to local political intrigues and I'm sceptical when politicians and their apologists claim virtue for their own side on matters of detail. But I would imagine that there is no settled party policy on either side because political parties involved have to square their desire for public favour with decisions which may have to be fixed to accord with government policy which itself may already be fixed.

In your issue of May 29, Cllr Nick Way says, in a letter, that it's right to investigate the Western route because presenting the case against it at a probable future Public Inquiry will depend on "ALL routes having been properly researched". That seems like common sense.

Finally, on what grounds do you include in your editorial, without explanation, the remark that Sally Morgan "may not remain as the (prospective) Liberal Democrat candidate"?

Are we supposed to be privy to this bombshell? I hope you will supply source of information.

C Lill

10 Landscore

Crediton

EX17 3LW

• Editorial Manager's reply – Thank you for your letter and interesting points and my apologies for such a detailed reply which follows.

The Courier is in independently owned paper, part of the Tindle Newspaper Group, one of 225 UK newspapers owned by Sir Ray Tindle.

You say that the Courier is carrying excessive exposure of the prospective Tory parliamentary candidate.

I think this has more to do with relevance to current affairs and work by the candidate in the community than any political bias – if a political candidate feels he/she has their finger on the pulse of what is happening in the Crediton area we will gladly consider printing their comments, whichever party they represent.

Another reason why it may appear that we carry more from the Tory candidate is that despite our very best efforts, very little in the way of press releases, comments, photographs, or even replies to telephone calls and emails, is forthcoming from the other prospective parliamentary candidates.

You refer to a photograph of Sally Morgan, stating that she was not identified as the prospective parliamentary candidate but I have been unable to find this.

You refer to the opening of the Liberal Democrat book shop. This story was printed in full as it was supplied to us by Liberal Democrats locally. I agree that it is an excellent second-hand book shop.

With reference to the June 12 issue you state that our story explaining the Devon County Council election results shows an allegiance. I am sorry that the results were obviously not to your liking but this was a factual report of the results of the election.

You will also note that Cllr Nick Way polled several hundred votes less than he did four years ago compared to his nearest rival, when Mr Way won the seat for the first time.

Also, concerning the Crediton Link Road, those who attended a recent Traffic Action Group meeting heard the Conservatives declare their opposition to the Western route, as reported. You will find many people in the town are opposed to the Western route.

As reported in the Devon County Council election results article you refer to again, you ask why we question whether Sally Morgan will remain as the Lib Dem prospective candidate?

You will note the article stated that she lost her Devon County Council seat at this election. I am sure that you can now see why we ask the question?