I READ with a degree of despair that James Dornan MSP has been reported to the Standards Commission for Scotland. His offence is apparently tweeting comments about Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg. It appears that this complaint has been raised by a Tory MSP and not even by Mr Rees-Mogg himself.
Mr Rees-Mogg is very fond of mentioning he is a practising Christian of the Roman Catholic variety. It is some 50-plus years since I was last dragged to Sunday school but I remember the concept of Heaven and Hell and the process which apparently takes place upon death. In its simplest terms, dependent on your actions in the present life, you are eventually consigned to one or the other.
In stating “If your god exists you will undoubtedly rot in hell,” Mr Dornan is simply stating his honest opinion of Mr Rees-Mogg’s possible fate given his less-than-Christian actions in this present life.
READ MORE: Even Jacob Rees-Mogg knows outrage over 'rot in hell' tweet is ridiculous
I see no offence that has taken place, and no persons have been injured by this tweet. I very much doubt that Mr Rees-Mogg is lying in his bed this evening unable to sleep at this apparent slur on his doubtful character. The many victims of Tory policies will not be sleeping soundly tonight.
I am now retired, but as a councillor I was reported to the Standards Commission on several occasions by political opponents, and found not guilty each and every time.
Mr Dornan has my sympathy.
Brian Lawson
Paisley
CAUTIOUS, responsible, sensible – the correct approach is being taken by the First Minister and the Scottish Government regarding the pandemic. We are currently living through a third wave, so to be anything other than cautious would be foolhardy and very irresponsible.
We have come so far, uniting in the interest of each other, and we must continue with steady caution on the road to recovery if our dream of normality is to become a reality. So I applaud the First Minister and the Scottish Government’s approach.
Catriona C Clark
Falkirk
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel