Letter to the editor: Winston Churchill wrote: “A lie gets half way round the world before truth has a chance to gets its pants on.”

Therefore, I trust you will permit me a few words on your recent article (Time’s Up, News Shopper, October 2).

Last week I was accused of:

Pursuing “an unpopular policy” such as the Silvertown Link. This has been council policy since before my time as leader. It is supported by the local MP, the GLA member and the Mayor of London.

Never muttering a word regarding the Lewisham Hospital downgrading. The public record shows this is untrue.

Failing to attend a meeting of the Prime Minister and Mayor of London. I was not invited to this meeting.

Sacrificing cycling money for failing to meet a GLA official. I have met his boss, a more senior postholder. A further meeting with both is planned.

Running away from a reporter requesting a television interview. This is untrue. I was elsewhere in London, which made the interview impossible.

“Sacking” someone from the council. This is untrue. The individual was not a council employee. Councillors do not have authority to sack staff.

Asking for my face to appear on a Greenwich Time front page issue. This is untrue. I requested news of our Royal Borough designation reflect the dignity of the honour bestowed by the Queen. The first draft was “dumbed down”. The editorial team subsequently chose an image of the Old Royal Naval College and a small photograph of me. I made no requests for specific photographs.

I accept a disgruntled former contractor may choose to develop an agenda of “revenge”. The irony is I knew nothing of the termination of his services. I was on holiday when he wrote his letter, which included attacks on the Mayor of London and compromised the political neutrality required.

The fact I might not disagree with the political content of his letter cannot permit the council to compromise its statutory responsibility. In the meantime, the Labour council will continue to do the job it was elected to do.

COUNCILLOR CHRIS ROBERTS, leader, Royal Borough of Greenwich