PROTEST is a democratic right and it is one we should all cherish.

Indeed it is woven into the British fabric and if you feel strongly enough about something then of course you have a right to speak out and voice your concerns.

However, there are ways and means of doing things correctly.

Inflicting your views on people who are going about their business or enjoying their leisure time in a perfectly legal manner deserve respect, not vilification.

As human beings, when it comes to eating, we can choose to be carnivores, pescatarians, vegetarians or vegans.

Inevitably, to cater for meat eaters, animals are killed. It is an unpalatable fact of life and many of those who consume meat would no doubt prefer not to know what goes on behind closed doors at a slaughterhouse.

Nevertheless, vegan action groups holding protests inside supermarkets and restaurants is not going to resolve anything.

Turkeys are slaughtered in their millions at this time of the year and they then form the centrepiece of the traditional Christmas dinner.

Nothing is going to change that, whether we agree with it or not.

But shoppers in Waitrose do not deserve to be subjected to protesters ranting at them in the meat aisle for having the temerity not to choose a vegan lifestyle.

Ditto when it comes to restaurants which serve meat.

It is their democratic right to do so and the customers also have a democratic right to be able to eat in peace and have an enjoyable evening out.

Choosing to be a vegan is admirable, but making life uncomfortable for others who have different views, is not.