There is something about the persecution of the witch in the wholesale denunciations of Margaret Ferrier. Her conduct was wrong, of course. Her excuses are feeble and transparently made up. But Dominic Cummings did not resign. John Swinney did not resign after the examinations debacle. Nicola Sturgeon has not resigned over the Salmond affair. These two matters have many more serious consequences than Margaret Ferrier’s breach of Coronavirus rules. Covid-19 hysteria is compromising the usual processes of discipline, hearing, judgement and fair and proportionate punishment.