Hearsay trumps truth in our X Factor world

PUBLIC discussion on controversial issues has degenerated from reasoned debate into an emotional swamp.

It’s like some nightmarish version of The X Factor, with all involved convinced of their cause and righteousness. In this morass, truth is the first casualty and facts ignored, replaced by misrepresentation and hearsay.

both the tragedy of Grenfell Tower and the ongoing heartbreak of Charlie Gard have become characterised by hysteria and resentment against authorities who are trying to help, to dispense dispassionate judgment, to do the right thing.

Charlie Gard’s parents shout at judges and accuse doctors of lying, despite a lack of evidence and rationality in their stance.

In court yesterday, Chris Gard and Connie Yates again stormed out of the proceedings. ‘I thought this was supposed to be independent,’ shouted mr Gard. I fully accept the heartbreak and misery of his position, but to respond like this when his desires are thwarted does no one any favours.

The Grenfell Tower fire was appalling. The cause still has to be established and to do so, a public inquiry was set up under a retired senior judge, Sir martin moore-bick. He is an expert in complex technical contracts. but the ‘Justice 4 Grenfell’ group don’t want him. Too posh and too white. They don’t want informed and clinical. They want grief counsellors and collusion. They want their suspicions confirmed. Including their belief that residents were murdered, the number of victims is being wilfully misrepresented, and survivors are being victimised by evil Tories with a callous disregard for the working classes.

everyone is angry, upset, raw and grieving. Yet victims do not have the right to dictate events, simply by the mere fact of being victims. It is time for everyone to take stock and calm down. Please.