We can almost feel proud

I have criticised the Justice Minister in the past. But on this occasion she seems to be on the side - if not of the angels - at least of common sense. The Herald reports:

"Parents who fear there may be child sex offenders in their neighbourhoods are to be kept in the dark about them, the Scottish Justice Minister has decided. Cathy Jamieson has backed expert advice that disclosure is "almost invariably undesirable", drives the problem underground and risks giving a false sense of security. "The risks posed by sex offenders are serious, but they must not be allowed to create a climate of fear," she said."

Ms Jamieson deserves even more credit for her stand, as it takes place when Dr Reid is lurching (like some Frankenstein monster) down the populist route, according to The Guardian (here):

"Mr Reid's promise to consider a British-version of the controversial American Megan's law, under which local parents are given full details of child sex offenders released into their neighbourhood, follows a six-year News of the World campaign to name and shame paedophiles and publish the addresses of all 101 probation hostels that house offenders. The campaign raised fears of vigilante attacks and warnings that paedophiles were going underground."

Good to see that, for once, the Scottish administration is taking a more enlightened attitude than Westminster.