I write concerning the national ME Association closing all its local UK groups and seizing most of their funds. A week before groups were notified of the changes banks were contacted and asked to transfer local funds.

This and a leaked financial document have lead to suspicions the money is needed to help the national charity out of a financial crisis.

On behalf of Sussex MEA members I recently attended a stormy meeting in London where the charity's board ignored an expression of no confidence supported by 520 patients and evaded questions on finance and refused to publish minutes.

Patients, some barely able to walk, were amazed to discover security staff were present to keep control. The recent activities of the MEA have caused a considerable amount of distress to chronically ill ME patients and we have now written to the Charity Commission asking them to look into the matter.

-Colin Barton, chair, Sussex ME Society