Nothing more than a bad joke

Sir, - Scottish Youtuber Count Dankula has been found guilty of offensive communication and awaits sentencing.

He may yet go to prison for filming his dog acting as a Nazi – obviously as a joke.

Anyone actually intending to promote Nazi ideology might be advised that mocking Nazism with a pet is counter-productive.

Ridiculing evil can be a powerful antidote.

When he brought the phrase ‘gas the Jews’ into the joke he overstepped the mark, as the holocaust does not have a funny side.

But – however insensitive or offensive that is – there was no incitement to break the law, nor even any attempt to stir up hatred.

It was an ill-judged attempt at humour.

If anyone can produce evidence that Count Dankula actually intends harm towards Jewish people, then prosecute him on that basis.

No one can produce such evidence.

Making a sick, offensive or insensitive joke should not be a criminal offence.

Once freedom of speech can be curtailed by subjective judgments such as ‘offence’, the door is open to the suppression of views that those in power would rather not hear.

This legal action has propelled Count Dankula from Coatbridge obscurity to international fame.

His ordeal will have been stressful, but, in a few months’ time he might look at the whole incident as a personal breakthrough.

It is worth remembering that creating martyrs has a dubious record when it comes to suppressing undesired speech.

While the internet buzzes with the Count Dankula drama, MSPS ignore it, and the gulf between popular opinion and mainstream politics widens. Richard Lucas. Leader of the Scottish Family Party,

272 Bath Street, Glasgow.