I fully agree with the views expressed by the girl in the pink wig who was arrested (Letters, May 25).

The organisation of the election night at the wholly unsuitable Hove Town Hall was an undemocratic farce. I can remember many a packed and boisterous election night at the Dome, where a good time was had by all.

The initial attempt by the council leaders and the police to bar the public, on the absurd grounds they could not protect the candidates, was ridiculous. Is this what the democratic process has come to, that electors cannot be allowed to come into contact with those they are electing?

What was truly disgraceful was the employment of a goon squad to enforce "security". They were intimidating, surly and threatening throughout the evening.

As a candidate in the elections, I went outside for a cigarette break. Imagine my surprise when, despite waving my pass at them, two of the goons refused to re-admit me into the building without giving any reason other than they hadn't seen me leave. It took me more than five minutes before it eventually sunk into their skulls they had no legal authority to refuse me re-admittance.

I don't know how much "security" cost on the night but I hope Ken Bodfish reimburses council-tax payers the full amount from his generous allowances.

-Tony Greenstein, Alliance for Green Socialism, Brighton Pavilion ward