I HAVE just sent the following letter to Mark Harper MP and await his reply.

'As you are aware, Garry King, chief executive of Two Rivers Housing, is continuing his long running campaign to extort grass-cutting payments from Forest of Dean and environs freeholders.

'The unlawful demands made to freeholders began two years ago but according to a letter in the Review (Feb 26, 2010) it would appear that he may have started his campaign as far back as 2002, by carefully leaving the freeholders out of the voting process that would have quashed his plans to make money out of them at a future date. This is just a hunch – who knows what plans were put in motion eight years ago, and whether it was intentional or accidental?

'And that is why I am writing to you, Mr Harper. I think it is time that an inquiry is called into the situation, including the miss-vote of 2002/03 (as they did not invite votes from all interested parties), the current demands that amount to harrassment (I know of one freeholder locally who has received a court summons and will now have to start using a lifetime's savings to fight alone) and Garry King's involvement in the whole nasty process which could hardly be considered impartial. Personally, I think he should be asked to resign on the grounds that he must take responsibility for the situation arising in the first place and the tactics employed which are inexcusable and shameful.

'You were kind enough to talk to parish councils in the past, to try to resolve the problem by suggesting that they take over the grass-cutting in question. Here in Newnham-on-Severn our parish council felt unable to support its parishioners in that way, despite the grass-cutting tender being due to renewal and the possibility potential contractors could have added the TRH green areas in at no extra cost. As we have effectively been hung out to dry I am turning to you again: can you please demand that a public inquiry be held regarding this ongoing fiasco?

– Name and address supplied.