Sir, Is Jeremy Clarkson or any other BBC presenter above the law?
More than a half a million people may sign a petition demanding his reinstatement; the Prime Minister may testify to the joy the Top Gear presenter brings to his children (Courier, March 12), but that does not mean he should not be subject to the same disciplinary procedures and standards ofjustice as the rest of us.
The distress caused to many by the late Jimmy Savile and other popularpersonalities ought toreinforce a key point, which is that tackling inappropriate behaviour should be more important than audienceratings.
The so-called “fracas” Mr Clarkson was involved in should be properly investigated without favour to the online petitioners or, indeed, David Cameron.
Disciplinary procedures should be about encouraging an improvement in an employee’s standards ofconduct or behaviour.
Sometimes it has to be accepted that some offences should prompt dismissal. I see no reason why thetelevision icon should be get preferential treatment.
Yes, if he goes, he may be quickly taken on by another channel. The BBC will at least have shown that it expects certain standards from all its broadcasters.
That may work to its advantage in the long run.
Bob Taylor. 24 Shiel Court, Glenrothes.
Atheists picking on wrong target
Sir, As an atheist I agree with the Reverend Robertson’s view on toleration (Letters, March 12). We should all be permitted to believe whatever we want to believe without having to risk punishment for that belief.
Today the most horrific religious atrocities are being perpetrated against Christians and non-Muslims and claimed by the perpetrators to be done in the name of Islam.
In comparing today’s Christianity with radical Islam, fellow atheists are most reluctant to discuss Islam while most are so clued-up against Christians and Christianity they fall over themselves to note ambiguities in the Bible, not a particularly difficult thing to do with the bible . . . or indeed with the Koran, except that they seem as clueless concerning Islam as they’re clued-up against Christianity.
Perhaps it’s the only religion they’ve “got”?
If organised atheists really wanted to support the public good they would be allying themselves with the good Reverend Robertson in a bid to increase the influence of Christianity against a religion that really should be their prime target, Islam, which, unlike Christianity, is committed to their destruction.
Andrew Lawson. 9 MacLaren Gardens, Dundee.
No withdrawal of trust funds
Sir, Far from “establishing the facts” regarding the Kirriemuir Camera Obscura, John Henderson’s letter of March 12 achieves the opposite.
The National Trust for Scotland has not “withdrawn funds” from the facility. Since 2012/13, annual running costs, following Angus Council’s termination of direct funding, have been met from the council’s Survive and Thrive Cultural Heritage Award Scheme.
As reported in this paper we were informed last month that from 2015/16 onwards no monies or potential sources of funding will be available from the council.
As reports also indicated, the Barrie Pavilion andCamera Obscura are owned by the council and our involvement to date has been to manage the facility on the council’s behalf under contract.
The contract has been ended along with the funding and we will meet with the council soon to determine what, if any, options remain.
Connie Lovel. Assistant Director, Property andVisitor Services, The National Trustfor Scotland.
Plenty of advisers are available
Sir, I refer to the excellent articles by Jim Crumley which express the views, I suggest, of many of your readers. The report by Jamie Buchan in Wednesday’s Courier also reiterates my concerns about the potential for “reckless disruption” to wildlife before T in the Park and in the aftermath.
I am concerned with the reported statement by RSPB Scotland that DF Concerts appeared to be “poorly organised and unprofessional”.
Surely there are enough professional advisers available from SNH, SWT, RSPB and the procurator fiscal service to provide assistance under these circumstances, together with opinions to enable ourplanning authority to cometo a sensible, authoritativeconclusion?
Patrick Garthwaite. Ladeside House, Ashgrove Road, Rattray, Blairgowrie.
Might look good on paper, but . . .
Sir, The latest power struggle by politicians is to take over British Transport Police and integrate it into Police Scotland.
This would certainly be a boost for the police numbers for the national police force, but I feel this is more about power and dictation from the politicians who desperately want to be in charge of everything, instead of dealing with the basics. I suppose it looks good on paper, though.
The British Transport Police who are responsible for the entire UK rail network are well-trained and experienced in the vast operation and complications of the network and must object strongly to this farcical idea.
John McDonald. 14 Rosebery Court, Kirkcaldy.