Response to Tony Williams
Your letter from Tony Williams about the NO2NP campaign against the Named Person and the successful Supreme Court judgement has come to our attention.
The letter contains several inaccuracies and we believe it would be important for your readers to be aware of the facts of the matter.
First of all, NO2NP is not ‘a coalition of hard-core Christian groups’ but rather a very diverse body of individuals and groups that spans both the political and religious spectrums (Mr Williams may be surprised to learn that there are a number of atheists on the team). Only one organisation is Christian.
Secondly, every parent (Christian or otherwise) does have a right to family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which includes a general provision that there shall be no unnecessary interference by the state with that right. Perhaps Mr Williams thinks that some Christians should not enjoy that right?
Next, Mr Williams seems to think that two out of three courts deciding in favour of the Scottish Government is actually a victory, but that would be like saying that a football team that won in the quarter and semi finals but lost in the final really won the championship! The main thrust of the legal challenge WAS the illegal information sharing provisions of the Act, which were struck down by the Supreme Court and which John Swinney has now finally decided to repeal.
It’s not accurate to say that the Supreme Court considered that the SCHEME was ‘unquestionably legitimate and benign’ but rather its AIM. Important distinction. The court unanimously found the provisions of the scheme contravened human rights law.
And finally, there has never been a majority of public support for named persons: the most recent polling showing a mere 24 per cent in favour of the scheme.
Parents in Argyll and Bute should be aware that the scheme is still operating on a non-statutory basis and they may wish to consult their councillors to see whether sensitive information sharing by named persons always takes place with parents’ consent and complies with GDPR, data protection and human rights laws and the duty of confidentiality. The NO2NP Team.