I WAS interested in Charlie Kerr’s letter in the other day’s edition (This Union Jackery won’t stop until we are all ‘British’, The National, June 27).

For almost two and a half years I have been trying to get Police Scotland to ban Union flags being worn by Police Scotland officers on duty and in uniform. The unlawful wearing of the flag (Police Scotland uniform regulations are clear on the matter) under the guise of a Police charity was granted to firearms officers only, personally by ACC Bernie Higgins. Its use has since multiplied.

Since 2017, my concerns have been passed to the Scottish Police Authority, the people and development department, the employee and relations and reward team, and the clothing and equipment group. It is now out for consultation with the director of people and development. (Phew, my PC is running out of ink.)

READ MORE: This Union Jackery won’t stop until we’re all ‘British’

I could go into greater detail, but by that time my complaint will be passed to another Police Scotland department.

Incidentally, I did write to our then Justice Secretary Mr Mathieson, however he was not the least bit interested.

I sincerely wish all those fighting against Union Jackery and for Scotland the Brand, good luck in your efforts. I will let The National know if and when I receive an answer from Police Scotland.
Gordon C Ford
Newton Mearns

IN relation to the article on branding (National Trust for Scotland under fire for peak Union Jackery, The National, June 26), the opposite is true in food packaging.

In supermarkets Scottish produce bears the Saltire, but English products have the Union flag. They should have the St George’s Cross or else all UK products should bear the Union flag.
David
Berwick-Upon-Tweed

ALMOST full marks to Lesley Riddoch for her timely warning that Hunt is every bit as bad for Scotland as Johnson (Yes, Boris is awful but Hunt will be just as bad for Scotland, The National, June 27).

In her scary run-down of Hunt’s political career, she could have added that he is on record as wanting to privatise the NHS. When he was English Health Secretary he was accused of misleading Parliament on mortality statistics and was only saved by his pals in the right-wing tabloids diverting attention away by attacking junior doctors. In his protracted dispute with the junior doctors he displayed the worst sort of authoritarianism yet in his

current campaign he is boasting how he is a superior negotiator compared to Johnson.

That authoritarian tendency was apparent in his recent statement that as PM, he would not allow the UK to be broken up. That may go down well with the blue-rinse and blazer brigade who could make him PM, but hardly shows any respect for democracy. Plus there is his instruction to his staff not to support politicians from the devolved administrations if they diverge from supporting the London policy line.

Just think what that could mean when the UK is seeking a trade deal with the US and the NHS is very much on the table. The Scottish Government would not be able to defend the Scottish NHS’s interests.

In dealing with Hunt we should well remember the old warning about Richard Nixon, “Would you buy a second-hand car from this man?”
Andrew M Fraser
Inverness

IN a press release, the chief executive of the UK’s Gambling Commission, Neil McArthur, said: “I want gambling consumers in Britain to be able to enjoy the fairest and safest gambling in the world...” Also, he has revealed in a radio interview that there are over 23 million gamblers in the UK.

I cannot believe that over a third of the population are willingly partaking in a purported leisure activity in which they lose money. It sounds to me that the UK now has an epidemic of addiction.

Gambling is certainly not fair or safe. Unscrupulous operators exploit the natural tendency of humans towards addictive behaviour to feather their own nests. Everyone is susceptible to this sort of physiological dependency, but especially children.

The Government should step in for the good of all and treat this crisis as both a national mental health and social emergency.
Geoff Naylor
Winchester

THE regulatory framework for referendums and indeed elections, should require honesty on the part of those promoting any particular views. Opinions are valid but should be stated as such and not be presented as an assertion of fact.

Any statements made to support a position or conclusion should be accompanied by verifiable facts or explanation. Deliberate misrepresentation and falsehoods should be criminal offences with an ultimate sanction for those seeking elected office to be barred from holding any public position.
Nick Cole
Meigle, Perthshire