When I started work at the Mercury back in January, I was struck by how frank Leicestershire County Council leader David Parsons could be.

He spoke, in my opinion, the way all council leaders should do: honestly, without jargon, and with an eye for a colourful quote.

You could call him about anything and get an on-the-spot opinion, and if he didn’t know anything about the issue, he’d tell you. It was a welcome contrast to the often guarded style of then city leader Ross Willmott. How times have changed.

Put in a call, or fire off an email to Mr Parsons these days and you’ll wait a few hours before getting a comment sent directly from someone in the communications team on his behalf. “This will be happening more often,” I’ve been told.

This all started with the arrival of Fergus Sheppard. I’ve no doubt that this anti-democratic move has been chalked up as a way of making the council’s PR machine more streamlined. But quite simply, it cuts off the relationship the press should have with a senior politician.

David never seemed to be the type who’d go in for all the spin and image management rubbish, but I can only assume he’s been persuaded to give it a whirl.

And to be honest, because I haven’t needed comments on anything particularly groundbreaking from him in the past few weeks, I’ve let the whole thing slide.

But all councils have to make big decisions over the next year or so about spending decisions, reform and cutbacks.

These are serious issues, which is why I don’t think I should accept any statements released on his behalf through the press office without making quite clear in the story that he’s issued a statement rather than deal with the Mercury directly.

I grudgingly accept why statements are issued on behalf of officers through the press office, but elected members should deal directly with me. If they won’t then surely readers need to be told.

For as long as I can pick up the phone to Veejay Patel, the leader of Leicester City Council, to get a response from him at a moment’s notice, I expect to be able to do the same for the leader of the county council.

10am update: Fair play to David Parsons, he’s called me from the continent. “Let’s sort this out,” he says. I’ll keep readers posted.