Public retraction needed

Open letter to Shetland Charitable Trust trustees

You must be aware that there has been an exchange of correspondence on Shetland News over the past few days regarding Viking Energy ‘ditching’ their Health Impact Assessment.

During the course of this correspondence the Vice-Chair of the Shetland Charitable Trust, Jonathan Wills, has accused the Chair of Sustainable Shetland, Andrew Halcrow, of making things up – in effect of lying. (Not ditched; SN 16/11/12).

Despite the fact that several people (including Andrew) have refuted these claims (Study was ditched; SN 16/11/12 – Apologise and withdraw; SN 17/11/12 – Quite taken aback; SN 17/11/12), Jonathan has continued to maintain that Andrew lied (Sorry to disappoint; SN 23/11/12).

I do not believe that it is acceptable for anyone, and particularly someone speaking as the Vice-Chair of the Shetland Charitable Trust, to maintain in a public forum that someone is lying when there is irrefutable evidence to the contrary.

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There is no question that Viking Energy abandoned their Health Impact Assessment because it was deemed to be ‘impossible’.

I was informed of this by David Thomson of Viking Energy in an email.

You, as a Trustee, are aware of this because I sent you a copy of that correspondence in my letter to you on 11 November.

Moreover, Jonathan’s language is extremely intemperate, and contemptuous.

The use of phrases like “wicked windfarmers” and “demonic wickedness” does not contribute to rational debate, and is not worthy of a person in his position.

The Shetland Charitable Trust cannot ignore the fact that its Vice-Chair has made these comments in the press, whether by the consent of other Trustees or not.

Trustees must ensure that Jonathan issues a public retraction. I personally feel that a public apology would also be appropriate.

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In my letter of 11 November I asked that any work done on the initial, abandoned, Viking Energy Health Impact Assessment be made available to those who are carrying out the new study commissioned by the Shetland Charitable Trust.

I have since been assured by a trustee that it will be.

Can you confirm to me that all the findings of the current, SCT commissioned, Health Impact Assessment will be made public?

Yours sincerely,

Robina Barton
Birka
Bressay