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An attack on the headquarters of NatureScot in Inverness in which a window was smashed and opponents of the guga hunt on the Hebridean island of Sula Sgeir wrote graffiti saying “animal lovers over animal haters” and other such slogans has been described as “deeply disturbing” by the nature agency’s chief executive Nick Halfhide.
Speaking to the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, he added that the organisation had also been criticised by some campaigners for delaying a decision over the release of beavers in a Highland glen and said that members of the public had been “abusive” to staff in a supermarket during a debate over whether there should be a new national park in Galloway.
“I have had staff in tears saying 'I have dedicated my life to this work' so to be denigrated in public, from my personal position it just crosses a line,” Halfhide said. "I have to look after the welfare of my staff, I have not only a legal duty to do that but a personal duty, so I take those comments very seriously...”
NatureScot came in for criticism over the timing of a decision about releasing beavers in a Highland glen (Picture: Dan Kitwood) | Getty Images‘Road rage’ of social media
Now, clearly all public bodies and their staff need to recognise that robust public debate goes with the job. They cannot expect to escape any and all criticism over controversial decisions.
Indeed, argument is the lifeblood of democracy. Everyone has a right to be heard and to make their feelings known.
However, in recent years, some of the ‘road rage’ of social media appears to have spilled over into the real world in ways that pose a threat to democracy. When deployed for political ends, abuse, threats and violence are designed to silence people with opposing views and make them afraid to express them.
So, regardless of the issue, anyone claiming the moral high ground who resorts to such tactics instantly loses it. They also expose the weakness of their arguments as a strong case has no need for foul language or aggressive behaviour.
A true democrat should accept that their view will not always prevail, maintain a basic level of respect for opponents and at least do their best to ‘disagree agreeably’.