John Tanner’s comments concerning monkeys and peanuts (last Tuesday’s Oxford Mail), would suggest he feels his status insulates him from normal standards.

His comments are quite gauche and humourless. Indeed, they are positively insensitive – as other contributors have pointed out.

If these obscene wage increases are a direct result of the council paying senior staff “peanuts” does it not necessarily follow that the present incumbents are monkeys? Or do they automatically shed this label as a result of this windfall?

He really does need to be more circumspect before making such glib remarks, and remember his position and responsibilities as an elected representative.

After all we have plenty of candidates for Town Hall jester.

Alan Lester, Northcourt Road, Abingdon