Trial by allegation

Calton would like to start by making it clear that he totally opposes violence against women, in any form, including domestic violence. He is, however, concerned that an MSP has been suspended from his party over allegations of domestic violence which have not gone to court. We used to have a maxim in this country of 'innocent until proven guilty'. Now it seems that we have 'trial by newspaper headline'. If Bill Walker is ever convicted of a violent offence Calton will be one of the first to call for his resignation as an MSP. As things currently stand, he is the subject of allegations which, if true, should have been reported to the police, not a newspaper, and he is quite rightly appealing the SNP's decision to suspend him. It is all too easy to use the press to destroy someone's reputation, as this article by the Wee Red Squirrel demonstrates. If there is substance to the allegations being made by Walker's ex-wives they need to go through the proper process, which is the courts. We have a criminal justice system in Scotland which is second to none. Let's use it.