Sir,

Boston Eye plunged to new depths last week with its unwarranted and deeply cruel piece on Cllr Yvonne Gunter.
Cllr Gunter attended at the Guildhall Museum last Wednesday, out of her own interest and in support of a new exhibition opening that day.
She was asked to pose for a photograph by the press and our own communications manager to help promote the Hallaton Treasure exhibition.
You chose to “capture” this picture from the front page of the council’s monthly e-newspaper to use it to poke fun at Cllr Gunter; not because she was making any controversial political statement, not because she was promoting an unpopular policy, not because she was using tax payers’ money unwisely.
The “fun” at Cllr Gunter’s expense was without reason and very upsetting for her.
Councillors do have to develop thick skins to deal with the slings and arrows of public criticism – that goes with the territory. But this was deeply hurtful at the most personal level.
No one entering public office expects an easy ride. Often it can be a thankless task, but one we voluntarily and willingly accept.
And we all expect there to be criticism of what we do. In fact, we welcome constructive criticism and suggestions and ideas from any source. None of us pretends that we have all the answers.
But Boston Eye’s editorial about Cllr Gunter is beyond the pale. It’s not gutter journalism – it is beyond that. It’s in the sewers.
I hope you can recognise your error and poor judgement on this occasion and take immediate action to remove the offensive article and offer an unreserved public apology to Cllr Gunter.

Peter Bedford,
Leader,
Boston Borough Council.
8th July 2011



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