A Personal Statement

This is going to be very difficult. The organisers of the Jim Clark Rally have been asked by the Police not to issue any statements, respond to media enquiries, or deny or confirm any points put to the team members, with regard to the tragedy which befell the rally yesterday.

On that basis I cannot comment on specific events, but what I can say is that the Police and representatives from the local Borders Council have been extremely helpful and entirely supportive. The Police very quickly assumed full control of the location and their investigation is well under way. Needless to say, the organisers are cooperating fully with the Police, despite being in a state of shock.

Naturally, the event officials are only too well aware of the impact that ‘social media’ has on such events. It would be very helpful to the team if much of this comment and opinion could be addressed and corrected, but that will not be permissible until the Police have completed their initial investigation.

At times like this, the welfare of all those directly or indirectly involved has to be considered first. That is the priority in such cases and rightly so.

To that end, the Police have developed a very strict operational procedure and whilst the public’s appetite for news and information may not be sated as quickly as it would like, there are very good reasons for this methodical approach.

At this difficult time our thoughts must first and foremost be with the family and friends of those who are no longer with us and those who were injured.