Innocent if not proven guilty

Sir – In your article (The Courier, December 18) relating to the discharging of the harassment investigation against Alex Rowley by the Scottish Labour Party, I note with great concern that an alleged “party source” claims there will be “a lot of anger” within the party if Mr Rowley is “welcomed back with open arms and given a post as a senior spokesman (sic) following the allegations about his behaviour.”

Why? Since the complainant failed to provide necessary evidence, it follows that Mr Rowley is, as we are supposed to believe in this country, innocent if not proven guilty.

Who has not had a relationship ending acrimoniously?

Why should we assume Mr Rowley to be guilty of anything?

I have been a member of Labour for 40 years and am extremely concerned if current concerns about male behaviour towards women are turned into unsubstantiated witchhunts against anyone, let alone someone with the reputation and record of service and political strategic thinking of Mr Rowley.

We have often disagreed but that is completely irrelevant.

I also note the quoted source is not named.

If someone wants to express their anger, let them do so openly not hide like a craven coward behind their anonymity. John Macdonald. 59 Linburn Grove, Dunfermline.