Challenging the rule of law

THE reaction to the rugby rape trial verdict, particularly on social media, has been deeply disturbing.

It seems that very many people haven’t the least idea about libel laws and think they can give free voice to any thought that enters their head.

Expressions of outrage at the verdict are highly dangerous because they show no respect whatsoever for the legal process. It’s essential for a civilised society to be guided by the rule of law and to accept the legal process, even when the outcome isn’t what many wanted (and it certainly doesn’t oblige us to admire the exonerated men).

Armchair critics of the jury should remember that that jury had to sit there for every day of the nine-week trial and hear every sordid detail. That means they were in a much better position to reach a judgment than any of us on the outside.