• THE response to a perfectly legitimate question to Islington Council at its budget meeting last week on a very important matter, that is, the provision of additional staircases at the former Holloway Prison site, was replied to by a council officer with patronising and personal remarks towards the questioner, asking him to take some time to think about things and implying that the council were the only people interested in the provision of social housing.

This is shameful.

We regularly see this sort of behaviour in the House of Commons, badmouthing the opposition without answering the question. But surely we should expect better of our local government.

The session was broadcast, which is commendable, but seeing such a rude response by a council officer might put others off approaching a council committee in future.

I think that an apology is due from the council as well as an answer to the question.

SUSAN ROEBUCK, N7