Scottish government’s sanctions for church worshippers chilling

JUDGE Lord Braid found the Scottish government’s Covid regulations were unlawful, as they manifestly interfered with the freedom of religion secured in the European Convention on Human Rights.

He noted that the government made its decision to criminalise public worship without having regard to evidence that worshippers adhered to social-distancing requirements.

The restrictions — and £10,000 fines — were the most draconian in the UK, placing disproportionate limitations on people of faith.

There were other, less restrictive, options that did not deny people their right to worship.

The fact that criminal sanctions were in place for any breach of Holyrood’s diktats was chilling and gave a disturbing insight into the government’s mind.

It was absurd that Scottish courts used cinemas to conduct jury trials, but parishioners were prevented from going to church.

Sacramental issues, such as Catholics receiving the Eucharist and attending confession, had not been taken seriously by the government and such doctrinal issues were treated as the equivalent of denying some people access to a lunch club.

Banning and criminalising gathered church worship was a supercilious overreach, set an ominous precedent and must not happen again.

Lord Boyd concluded: “I’m clear that the effect of the closure of places of worship is that the petitioners were effectively prevented from practicing their religion, however many broadcasts or internet platforms may exist.”

REV DR JOHN CAMERON St Andrews, Fife