GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT? – OH YES AND I’LL HAVE THAT KNIGHTHOOD BACK…

ENGLAND’S FOOTBALL CAPTAIN
A debate is being built around the fact that ‘allegedly’ John Terry will not give up his Captaincy of England. Apparently his continued presence could have a toxic presence in the England dressing room. How the media will love to stoke the fires on this.

My view. An allegation has been made. A court case has been thought necessary and is pending. The current situation is just that. “An allegation has been made.” There is nothing more to say at this time M’Lord. Mr/Ms Reporter/My Right Hon Friend – let it drop… But then there’s You Tube.

Legally and morally the stance is ‘There is nothing more to discuss at this time.” For anyone to suggest otherwise is gossip,  title tattle and making mischief about something that will have a time to be addressed. And then there’s You Tube.

In England a man ‘is innocent’ – until – ‘proven’ guilty. He is not guilty because he has been accused of something. That is the world of the lynch mob and not the rule of law in a civilised society. So, no matter whether there is You Tube or not (I haven’t seen the footage linked to this case by the way) the position is still the same. Unless we are convicting him ourselves outside of court that is. Which is what is being discussed.

I hope John Terry sticks with it and doesn’t let the naysayers grind him down.

SIR FRED GIVE YOUR GONG BACK
I was appalled to see Sir Fred Goodwin stripped of his knighthood which he was awarded in 2004. Is the rule now we give you an award but if you make a mistake in business or your life in someway that we (whoever we are) are upset about, we will take it back?

It used to be that if you were convicted of a crime you might give it back.  I totally agree with Jackie Stewart’s views that this is a dangerous Constitutional Precedent being set by this action. Bet the Queen wasn’t happy with it.  Jackie said of The FSA, The Bank of England. The Labour Government of the time, – non said. “Don’t do the ABN Amro deal” which ultimately stuffed RBS.

Fred Goodwin is hardly Robert Mugabe. He led a bank that make a big play and got it very wrong. Many people have lost their jobs as a result and probably blame the man and feel less charitable. I’m less attached.

The point is that this was not fraud, embezzlement a criminal offence and a man has lost an Honour for it.

So if you make a mistake in business or life might you have to give your honour back in the future and… if you get accused of something should you give it back, just in case you are found to be in the wrong later on?

Guilty when we think you are? Mob rule? Or control by a select few. The same thing in a different guise. Not great for our society.

Nicky