Sir, – As a regular reader of the Darlington and Stockton Times, I was astounded to read the editor's note in last week's edition in response to a letter by Margaret Whitehead in which she challenges the full page profile of Rishi Sunak, the Conservative candidate in the forthcoming General Election.

You explain that 'we will not be devoting full page features on all the other candidates' because he is favourite to succeed William Hague in one of the safest Conservative seats in the UK. Really?

In the 'our policy' section on the same page you explain that your newspaper is 'independent of political party, private interest and Government'. You state that you 'aim to be fair and accurate in your reporting'. You also say that your policy is to correct mistakes promptly and, where appropriate, apologise.

One can only assume that your editor's note was a clear mistake on your part and that, when you next discuss your editorial comments with your editorial colleagues and managing director at the Darlington and Stockton Times, you take the decision in the next edition to print an apology to all the other parliamentary candidates who are standing in the Richmond constituency and also to all the other readers who have no intention whatsoever of voting for Rishi Sunak.

I cannot believe that I am the only reader to have been outraged by such high-handedness and bias. So, please explain to me and to other letter readers, clearly and openly, why all other candidates deserve only a short profile in a future edition of the newspaper, whilst Rishi Sunak, who has all the advantages of political incumbency, has been treated to a gushing coverage which he has done nothing to merit. It would be useful also, when you do apologise for your mistake if you could indicate how you are going to repair the damage you have done to your reputation as a fair and accurate newspaper.

Your readers, I am sure, if this letter is published, will be interested to see your response to this criticism. Should the response be less than apologetic and substantial, I would be surprised if no one pursues the issue through your complaints policy on the same comment and opinion page.

ROBIN WINN

Great Ayton.