THE Chronicle has carried several letters recently that attack Labour group leader Cllr Sharma for claiming that Hounslow Council is guilty of 'institutional racism'.

Personally, I applaud Cllr Sharma for having the bravery to run the gauntlet of abuse simply for expressing the views of his constituents.

The whole saga over planning enforcements leaves an unpleasant taste in the mouth and I speak not as a member of the Punjabi community but as a white Englishman.

The facts speak for themselves: a 10-strong executive of ruling councillors (all of whom happen to be white) appear to be persecuting, with extraordinary zeal, a group of homeowners (nearly all of whom happen to be Asian).

Only last year Hounslow Council was referred to the Commission for Racial Equality after an independent councillor slammed one of its actions as 'being characteristic of fascist regimes'.

One of the letters attacking Cllr Sharma is from Ray Ferguson.

Mr Ferguson once used the columns of the Chronicle to launch a new residents association. Its stated aim was to 'give locals priority over outsiders and illegal immigrants in housing'.

He has described the 1976 Race Relations Act as 'ridiculous' and equal opportunities as 'garbage'.

The fact that Cllr Sharma is drawing criticism from people like this proves that he must be doing something right.

ROBIN TAYLOR Trinity Road, Southall.

Editor's Note: The Commission for Racial Equality did not pursue the complaint against Hounslow Council.