'This is an incredibly emotive issue and there are a number of points to be addressed by St Edmundsbury Borough Council including whether they will offer a public apology to those they have offended and if they will pay for the repair of any damage caused.'

David Ruffley MP has today written to John Griffiths, leader of St Edmundsbury Borough Council, seeking assurances further to those issued in his statement of 14th February which announced a review of the procedure for testing headstones in Borough Cemeteries.

David has been contacted by a number of his constituents deeply upset by the conduct of the Borough, including Mr Dennis Younger of Maltward Avenue, Bury St Edmunds. Mr Younger, after seeing his parents' gravestone had been knocked over, stated:

'The Borough has turned to the desecration of the resting places of our dead. Fortunately my dear wife's gravestone escaped their brigandage. However, my parent's memorial did not fare so well and devastation was wrought with a pushing machine.'

David said:

'This is an incredibly emotive issue and there are a number of points raised by my constituents that have yet to be addressed by St Edmundsbury Borough Council. These include whether the Borough Council will offer a full and public apology to those they have offended and if they will pay for the repair of any damage they have caused.

'I have, therefore, written today to John Griffiths, Leader of St Edmundsbury Borough Council, seeking his response on these and other issues so that I can reassure my constituents that everything is being done to safeguard the resting place of their loved ones.

'I completely understand the hurt and distress this has caused to many residents of the Borough and I would like to assure them that I will make every effort to work with John Griffiths, in whom I have every confidence, to ensure this matter is resolved.'