Mixed messages

I am not convinced by the case which Lesley Riddoch is tying to make in The Scotsman about our senior public servants (“Time to stop demonising Scottish leaders speaking vital home truths”, 26 Octo - ber).

I am sure that the National Clinical Director, Jason Leitch does have a very demanding position which requires commitment and hard work for which he is eminently qualified. I am, however, becoming increasingly alarmed about the stridency and frequ ency of the pronouncements of senior civil servants and other advisors who presently command media attention and their often conflicting advice which confuses members of the public greatly at this time of national anxiety.

Last week Professor Leitch stated on Good Morning Scotland prior to the First Minister making her statement at the lunchtime press call that hopes of a normal Christmas were "fictional" and that we should prepare for a "digital" one. This was crassly insensitive. Many older people may be forced to spend Christmas alone this year as a result of restrictions and have no access to digital technology. This is equally so for poorer members in our community.,

At the press call later the First Minister, in almost direct contradiction to Prof Leitch, stated: “It does depend upon people doing the right thing now so by Christmas we can ease up a bit."

It is important to bear in mind that members of the civil service have no democratic legitimacy since they do not speak as elected members of our democratic institutions. We live in a Parliamentary democracy – not a "Scientocracy. This is all the more poignant since this pandemic has witnessed the biggest erosion of our personal liberties this century whether in peace or war.

JAMES PARK Springwell Place, Edinburgh