The communities secretary has sent a strongly critical letter to the leaders of the district councils in Somerset, accusing them of potentially “undermining the reputation and standing of local government in the country” by directing local electors to a spoof website containing “offensive” material and “sexist and derogatory depictions of women”. Robert Jenrick had already been angered by Mendip, Sedgemoor, and South Somerset DCs and Somerset West & Taunton Council’s decision to plough ahead with a referendum on reorganisation proposals, alongside but separate to the government’s own consultation on the issue which closed last month. The poll cost the districts more than £300,000 to carry out.