A psychotherapist has slammed the "utterly crazy" investigation into a healthcare chief who accidentally followed Tommy Robinson on social media.
James Esses, founder of Just Therapy, expressed shock that resources were being spent investigating the CEO over following someone "they don't like" on X.
Steve Jamieson, chief executive of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), issued a deep apology after it emerged he was following Tommy Robinson on X in August 2024.
The incident came to light during the Southport riots, when nationwide disorder erupted following the deaths of three girls in a knife attack at a dance class.
Esses said: "I've been investigating into this stuff for years, and I thought I was unshakeable. I am well and truly shocked by this.
"In fact, if I didn't laugh, I would cry. It seems that the lunatics are now running the asylum. I mean, here is a body that is set up to facilitate and enable the speech of others, and it is being used to curtail people's free speech.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
"It's really quite shocking. The context is particularly important because just last year, the CEO of the College for Speech and Language Therapists announced that there was a 75,000 backlog of children waiting to see the speech and language therapists across the country.
"He said that they were at breaking point, and this is what they're spending their time and money on, hauling their own CEO through an investigatory process because he's following somebody they don't like on X. It's utterly crazy."
He added: "He simply followed him. I mean, we all follow all manner of people that we agree and disagree with purely because we want to keep up to date with what's going on in the world."
Members of the RCSLT wrote an open letter demanding Jamieson's resignation and an apology.
The professional body's board of trustees launched a formal investigation, appointing a barrister to examine the circumstances.
The investigation concluded that Jamieson's following of Robinson was likely accidental, with the CEO unaware of it.
The probe found the RCSLT's response to the incident was "slower than it should have been" in both launching an investigation and communicating with stakeholders.
A sub-committee was established after receiving concerns from the Anti-Racism Action Collective.
The investigation determined the organisation's handling of the situation "lacked objectivity, empathy, and compassion, and failed to align with the values of the organisation".
The findings led to several recommendations, including a formal apology from Jamieson and a detailed statement to members about the investigation process.
In a statement on the RCSLT website, Jamieson wrote: "I am deeply sorry for the hurt, upset, distress, fear and anger that this caused members, colleagues and staff.
"For members to see this, at a time of racial hatred and riots, must have been deeply shocking."
Find Out More...
James Esses, founder of Just Therapy, expressed shock that resources were being spent investigating the CEO over following someone "they don't like" on X.
Steve Jamieson, chief executive of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), issued a deep apology after it emerged he was following Tommy Robinson on X in August 2024.
The incident came to light during the Southport riots, when nationwide disorder erupted following the deaths of three girls in a knife attack at a dance class.
Esses said: "I've been investigating into this stuff for years, and I thought I was unshakeable. I am well and truly shocked by this.
"In fact, if I didn't laugh, I would cry. It seems that the lunatics are now running the asylum. I mean, here is a body that is set up to facilitate and enable the speech of others, and it is being used to curtail people's free speech.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
- Gen Z complains that claiming benefits is tougher than a 'full-time job'
- Boy, 14, stabbed to death on bus in broad daylight attack in south east London
- Fake Aldi supermarket brings 'endless stream' of shoppers to tiny Welsh village of 500 people
"It's really quite shocking. The context is particularly important because just last year, the CEO of the College for Speech and Language Therapists announced that there was a 75,000 backlog of children waiting to see the speech and language therapists across the country.
"He said that they were at breaking point, and this is what they're spending their time and money on, hauling their own CEO through an investigatory process because he's following somebody they don't like on X. It's utterly crazy."
He added: "He simply followed him. I mean, we all follow all manner of people that we agree and disagree with purely because we want to keep up to date with what's going on in the world."
Members of the RCSLT wrote an open letter demanding Jamieson's resignation and an apology.
The professional body's board of trustees launched a formal investigation, appointing a barrister to examine the circumstances.
The investigation concluded that Jamieson's following of Robinson was likely accidental, with the CEO unaware of it.
The probe found the RCSLT's response to the incident was "slower than it should have been" in both launching an investigation and communicating with stakeholders.
A sub-committee was established after receiving concerns from the Anti-Racism Action Collective.
The investigation determined the organisation's handling of the situation "lacked objectivity, empathy, and compassion, and failed to align with the values of the organisation".
The findings led to several recommendations, including a formal apology from Jamieson and a detailed statement to members about the investigation process.
In a statement on the RCSLT website, Jamieson wrote: "I am deeply sorry for the hurt, upset, distress, fear and anger that this caused members, colleagues and staff.
"For members to see this, at a time of racial hatred and riots, must have been deeply shocking."
Find Out More...