Hell’s teeth. Not, alas, the end of the story after all. When I posted yesterday’s blog I had no idea that some benighted individual had sent letters and emails to The Sun newsdesk, making even more salacious and bizarre allegations about my private life. Or that a reporter and photographer were already on their way north.
By the time they arrived in Hillswick they were absolutely convinced there was nothing to the information they’d been given. However, the paper decided that the campaign of malicious gossip against me was itself enough of a story.
What can you do? As I said to Gordon Tait from The Sun yesterday, when I was a hack ‘doorstepping’ people in search of a story was a way of life. I never expected it to happen to me. Though I have to say that both Gordon and his photographer were polite, professional and sympathetic. The whole thing remains a very distressing experience, though.
I spoke to the police last night, and they are investigating the whole business. Once anonymous letters and emails are being sent, the matter is a technical breach of the peace and criminal proceedings against those spreading the false rumours can be taken.
Meanwhile, the guys from The Sun are still on the island, tracking down anyone they suspect may have started these rumours. Which, just in case you’re starting to wonder, are utterly fictitious.
I still love Shetland. I’m aware that as a minor ‘celebrity’ I’m an open target for idle chit-chat. But what upsets me, as I said yesterday, is the fact that islanders I have trusted and respected have quite consciously and in some cases gleefully spread lies about me and my family. Shame on them.
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