Much speculation continues about the West Highland Free Press and its decision to oust two columnists which prompted the resignation of a third.
The contributions of Professor Donald Macleod and WHFP founder Brian Wilson were axed and former BBC Scotland boss Maggie Cunningham then decided not to contribute further.
Professor Macleod wrote of his concern when minority views become those of the majority leading to pressure to follow the radicals, in a reference to British Muslims.
On May 22, he wrote: “All minorities prefer to keep a low profile and avoid trouble. Generations of British Muslims have done exactly that, many have made an invaluable contribution to British society, and many are perfectly prepared to listen quietly while Christians ‘witness’ to them.
“But when minorities become majorities, things change … in the event of Islamic dominance in Britain our friendly Muslim shopkeepers will have little option but to march behind the radicals.”
Brian Wilson followed that up last week with a defence of his stance by writing that the professor’s column was “leading on to wider questions about Islamic influence within Europe, including implications for democracy and freedom.”
Prof Donald Macleod – Axed by West Highland Free Press
Sources close to some of the main players in the saga suggest party politics may be behind the ousting of the professor and Mr Wilson. If that were so, it would be an interesting volte-face for the Free Press.
I have offered the opportunity to the two axed columnists and Free Press MD Paul Wood as well as two SNP MPs, Angus Macneil and Ian Blackford, who have been mentioned in despatches, to comment.
Meanwhile, Paul Wood has published a statement on the Free Press website acknowledging the “tidal wave of criticism” and making it clear they have made mistakes. Interestingly though, he makes no reference to reinstating the two columnists, who many feel have done more than the current employee-led management team for the development of the newspaper.
There is also ongoing speculation about the position of longtime editor Ian McCormack, who has refused to comment so far. Wood said McCormack will have a statement in the paper on Thursday.
Statement
13 July 2015 by Paul Wood
This last week has seen the Free Press endure a tidal wave of criticism, much of it valid and deserved.
The Free Press has always been unique, more so now that it is the only employee-owned newspaper in the United Kingdom. There is no manual on how to run a newspaper; there is certainly no precedent for how our employee-ownership fits with the enormously challenging nature of running a newspaper. We have made mistakes and if every business and newspaper could be run with the benefit of hindsight, we’d have nothing to learn from.
We can only apologise to our readers, our community and our friends. If the result of making mistakes seriously damages all the good the Free Press does, this would be a terrible pity.
Our editor will make a further statement in this week’s print edition.
Paul Wood, Managing Director
