Madam, – Cliff Richard is right to seek anonymity for those accused of sex crimes since naming the accused before they are formally charged breaches the rules of natural justice and, in the febrile atmosphere of #MeToo-ism, wrecks lives.
Anonymously accused of a sex crime, Sir Cliff’s good name was devastated by a publicity-seeking police force in collusion with a scoop-seeking BBC. Both later admitted fault and the BBC paid damages – but it was too late.
Similar malicious treatment has been meted out to other public figures where the police became judge and jury in effectively punishing a number of well-known men for a crime of which none were convicted or even charged.
Sex crimes are complicated and there’s a case for making the accuser anonymous but the case for instantly revealing the identity of the accused – that other witnesses might recognise the name and come forward – is inadequate.
Richard et al aren’t arguing for an end to anonymity, only for pre-charge anonymity for the accused.
The victims aren’t just VIPs – doctors, students and ordinary people lose their good name and as a result their jobs and family.
Rev Dr John Cameron,
10 Howard Place,
St Andrews.
Bad losers don’t accept blame
Madam, – The last thing Scotland needs is another referendum on Scottish independence.
In the run-up to 2014 we were subjected to the radical doctrines of Alex Salmond; and now it is those of Nicola Sturgeon which are exceedingly tiresome.
The will of the electorate of Scotland was very clearly expressed in 2014 when independence was rejected on the basis of a ratio of 56:44 in favour of the status quo.
Out of the 32 local authority areas, only four returned a majority for independence.
Surely that result should have been sufficient to convince the separatists that the people had absolutely rejected their unwelcome policies.
But it would appear not – since we still have Sturgeon, Swinney and Michael Russell at Holyrood and Ian Blackford based at Westminster, all complaining incessantly about everything British.
The SNP does not even have a majority at Holyrood; yet because of a pact with the Greens we still have to put up with being governed by them.
The separatists have deployed almost every means possible to discredit the opposition; they have rejected vociferously every Unionist policy in action throughout Scotland.
It goes without saying the SNP will most certainly fail to persuade the UK Government that there should be a re-run of the 2014 referendum.
Most of us remember it was described as a “once in a generation” event.
Bad losers always blame everyone else, including the referee, for their misfortune – such is the rationale of the SNP.
Whether or not we are persuaded that a Tory Government, with its soon-to-be-appointed new leader, is to our liking or not, the proper time to take action will be at the next General Election.
Robert I G Scott,
Northfield,
Ceres,
Fife.
Brexit’s already happened
Madam, – In The London High Court the English Democrats are challenging the postponement of Brexit on the sound legal argument that Theresa May did not have Parliamentary approval to Extend Article 50.
Such a decision would require the enactment of an Act of Parliament granting the Prime Minister the power to postpone Brexit.
Since there was no legislative mandate the UK actually left the EU on March 29.
The Brexit decision has been delivered in secrecy because the political establishment like to play the game of smoke and mirrors, even when they know the truth.
Sebestian Wordsworth,
St Anne Street,
Limehouse.
Democracy is slipping away
Madam, – The BBC needs its wings clipped.
Why are they paying so much to middle class celebs and employees?
It is time the BBC went from a public service broadcaster to being a paid-for data service.
This country’s government and MPs take the people for mugs.
A poll tax is being forced on every one who owns a TV.
It is immaterial that they watch the BBC, they have to pay.
Then there is the House of Lords, 800 members that cost us £67.9 million for doing what? Do we need so many politicians and royals on the payroll?
MPs have stolen our democracy and our vote.
We don’t hear them calling for the BBC to be wound up, why?
Because it is a nice little earner for some.
Democracy is slipping away from the people.
John G Phimister,
63 St Clair St,
Kirkcaldy.
Students must contribute
Madam, – Students living in Scotland who want to study medicine at university will be given priority over those from other parts of the UK in an attempt to relieve the NHS staffing crisis, since data suggests students already living in Scotland are more likely to stay after graduation.
Yes, and there are fairies at the bottom of my garden. It takes more than five years for a doctor to qualify and the NHS crisis is now.
All students living in Scotland and those from the EU get free tuition whereas those from the rest of the UK have to pay. Free education for EU students alone has cost over £2 billion.
If they want doctors and others to stay, including EU students, then politicians should state that since Scottish taxpayers are funding them they must agree to work in Scotland for five years. No agreement no free tuition.
NHS and skilled workforce problem solved.
Clark Cross,
138 Springfield Road,
Linlithgow.
Stiff penalties for grave vandals
Madam, – I like many other readers was appalled to read about the gratuitous vandalism on the war graves at Wellshill cemetery (Anger at deliberate attack on cemetery, Courier, June 29).
It is exceedingly disrespectful.
There have been similar incidents over the years of vandalism to graves.
I believe part of the problem is the sentences given out to offenders are far too lenient.
The whole point of the courts should be to punish and act as a deterrent to other would-be offenders.
Too often the courts use fines and community service orders, hardly a deterrent, or it does not reflect the public revulsion to this type of offence.
A change in the law is needed so that there is an automatic custodial sentence given to those who vandalise graves.
Gordon Kennedy,
117 Simpson Square,
Perth.
Graveyards are sacred grounds
Madam, – The attack at Wellshill Cemetery is beyond reason.
Why would vandals desecrate memorials to Polish victims of war?
Not only will it anger the War Graves Commission and politicians, but it causes such hurt to Polish residents within Perth and the wider community.
Sadly the situation at Wellshill is not an isolated case.
If there is any place which should be sacred and peaceful a country churchyard it should be.
Thomas A Brown,
18 Garry Place,
Bankfoot.