AFTER the demonstration at BBC Radio Lancashire calling for the reinstatement of Asian presenter Nisar Patel, I, and another protester were invited for a chat by station manager Steve Taylor.

However, we were both disappointed that he brushed aside our concerns. By Mr Taylor's own admission, Nisar Patel was a competent and popular presenter, so there remain several unresolved issues. Perhaps Mr Taylor would use this column to enlighten concerned members of the Asian community.

If Nisar chose to resign within days of an apparently amicable meeting with Mr Taylor, then has the BBC management conducted an inquiry into why the most popular Radio Lancashire presenter quit 'mysteriously?' If they have, then what was the outcome? Asian licence payers and all Nisar's fans are entitled to a full explanation.

But if Nisar Patel's resignation was 'accepted' without any investigation, then we are also entitled to know about the BBC's commitment to quality programmes for the Asian community. Mr Taylor also failed to inform the protesters and you readers about the resignation of a second presenter soon after Nisar's shock resignation. Hindi presenter Anu Gupta's and Nisar's departure has now meant that Mr Taylor and the BBC are apparently happy to provide inferior broadcasting, which, until recently, was never evident on Sunday evenings.

Please note that, although I study at Blackburn College, Mr Nisar Patel has never been my lecturer, and is unlikely to be in the future.

HAFSAH KHAN (Ms), Vernon Street, Nelson.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.