SIR - News of ex-Bradford Council CEO Kersten England’s appointment as Chair of the City of Culture 2025 team smacks of cronyism at its very worst.

How can she remain independent when her tenure as CEO was mired by failure? What independent scrutiny was there to her appointment and who ultimately signed this off?

I would be astounded if she was the best candidate in what should have been an open process; or was she elected on a nod and a wink? Interestingly the Telegraph & Argus barred comments on the article. What price free speech?

Steve Wilson, Coppice View, Idle