In the post-war period of the 1940s and ’50s there was a ‘witch hunt’ (for want of better words) in the USA against suspected Communists.
No proof seemed to be required and in 1952 Charlie Chaplin (knighted in 1975) was forced to leave the USA for Switzerland as a result.
The current situation in the UK over repulsive sexual assaults alleged to have been committed by stars of stage and screen is following the same pattern.
Where has the British notion of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ gone? These celebrities are being shunned and may in due course be found not guilty by the courts, or the allegations dropped, but the saying ‘no smoke without fire’ comes to mind and the damage has been done.
Until such time as they have been actually charged with such offences they should not be identified in the media or we will be heading for mob rule and lynching parties!
No one condones offences, if true, but this relentless hysteria seems over the top.
PETER J COLLINS, Hinksey Hill, Oxford
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