Any evidence to back up these allegations?
Dear Editor
Residents Against Greenbelt Erosion (RAGE) is a small group of local people who coordinate the campaign concerning recent development on Park of Keir. It is not a generic name for any objector to the proposals. We are all long- term residents of the area, all easily identified as members on the group and all well known in our communities.
We are all deeply shocked at the unfounded allegations made against us in two letters in last week’s paper. One writer says they feel ‘‘threatened and intimidated by this group’’, that our comments on social media are ‘‘vile, threatening, personal and vulgar.’’
This writer also refers to no longer being able to have a conversation ‘‘over a coffee where I state my support for Park of Keir’’. The other writer describes being ‘‘at the receiving end of the most vile and vitriolic comments they have ever witnessed’’. These are all very serious allegations.
Our aim through social media has always been to raise awareness of the issues around Park of Keir, encourage debate and share information. As Inga Bullen stated last week: ‘‘We strive to maintain discourse in a polite and respectful manner. On the rare occasion that there have been comments that we think are out of order we have removed them and reminded our supporters that it was not helpful’’. Inga Bullen also pointed out that ‘‘we have no control over other social media platforms’’.
The writer who said they felt threatened and intimidated by RAGE states that ‘‘this type of reaction , in any other context , would be unlawful’’ - as far as I am aware threatening, abusive and intimidating behaviour towards an individual online is unlawful so I believe is publishing unproven defamatory statements about identifiable individuals. If the writers have evidence to back up their allegations please could they email me screenshots of the alleged offensive posts so we can address the issue?
Obviously if they have evidence of threatening and intimidating behaviour towards them in any context they are entitled to take that evidence to the police.
Kathy Pidgeon kathydpidgeon@hotmail. co.uk