Scales of justice can be described as a delicately balanced instrument. They can be tipped in the wrong direction by even the slightest misrepresentation.
This is why the civilized society has made the ability to test the evidence in any case in court a cornerstone.
This principle is essential. It can lead to injustice. These ramifications could be quite chilling.
Yesterday, The Mail on Sunday – our sister title – lost a legal battle with Meghan Markle after it published extracts of a letter she sent to her estranged father.
DAILY MAIL COMMENT: This troubling decision in the Meghan Markle case sets a dangerous precedent
Given the circumstances and dubious credibility of the Duchess, as well as her coerciveness in testimony, it is possible that fair minds could have argued for the trial.
There, the newspaper would have had an opportunity to defend itself – and the court could have carefully examined her veracity.
However, this is not the case. But that was not the case.
This troubling decision – rooted in Labour’s iniquitous Human Rights Act – sets a dangerous precedent. It is clear that the beneficiaries won’t be common people but wealthy wrongdoers.
Celebrities who are sleazy and dislike media attention, bridle at scrutiny, star athletes… the lawyers of these wealthy people will scrutinize this contentious judgement, recognizing a better tool to silence an inquisitive press.
Say a newspaper obtained a confidential – but personal – letter, written by someone rich and powerful, revealing a scandal of national interest. This person might now be able to pay for a legal matter, using ‘privacy’ to protect themselves from being exposed.
Yesterday was not a good day for people who want to conceal corruption, injustice or hypocrisy. Truth be told, yesterday was very poor for freedom of speech and public access to information.
Stop the viral hysteria
The Government is being spit on the hotel industry, which is not surprising. This sector was hit hard by the lockdown last Christmas, which essentially ended its best period.
These same companies were expecting a festive money-spinning season this year thanks to the incredible vaccine successes and Boris Johnson’s solemn promise that normality would never be lost.
Ministers are now unable to believe in this fragile optimism. Anger has replaced hope. Organisations are cancelling mass Christmas celebrations because of the chaos that has engulfed the Government due to the Covid variant.
Five ministers in five days have offered five different pieces of advice on whether people should press ahead with their celebrations – from not ‘snogging’ strangers to taking lateral flow tests before socialising.
One might even joke with them that they were drinking too much Christmas sherry. But for pubs, restaurants and other leisure venues – already trying to stay afloat – this is no laughing matter.
DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Spooked by the chaos engulfing the Government over the new Covid variant, organisations are cancelling office Christmas parties in their droves (stock image)
Managers are now faced with pages of booked reservations, instead of waiting for the bells to ring.
Every event is a success, creating ripples that buffet other businesses like taxis and food suppliers.
This uncertainty can be catastrophic for many firms and put them at great risk. Omicron, however, is still a mysterious quantity. There have been very few cases of Omicron so far. However, jabs appear to help.
Ministers should start singing the same hymn sheet and tell everyone to have fun at Christmas.
The Government is the one who started all this panic. It has to end.