Law as an instrument of power

WHEN FIREMEN were bullied by their bosses into participating in a gay pride rally in Glasgow, a courageous few refused.

- NIALL MCCRAE

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue insisted that the men distribute leaflets, presumably proclaiming itself as an inclusive employer, or assuring homosexual citizens that they would not be left inside a burning building. Nine men were sent on diversity training, and Brian Herbert was demoted (his punishment later revoked on appeal).

That was back in 2006, and quite shocking at the time, drawing plenty of media coverage. We can be sure that a large proportion of the workforce would not willingly have stood on the streets issuing homosexual content to the general public. They went along with the order, keeping their heads down. Some, including those who resisted, would have had conscientious objections, whether religious or by principle of rights and liberty.

There was nothing in the men’s employment contracts requiring such a task, which has no relevance to firefighting. Indeed, workers are protected in law from forced involvement in political activity: the European Convention of Human Rights (enshrined by the Human Rights Act 1998) and other legislation. Yet the management did it anyway.

I suspect that the firemen were targeted