Those who have been following the Matthew Parris saga, may be interested to know he published a brief apology, at the bottom of his Time newspaper today. Article
I offended many with my Christmas attack on cyclists. It was meant humorously but so many cyclists have taken it seriously that I plainly misjudged. I am sorry.
Clearly, cyclists don’t have a very well developed sense of humour, after seeing many friends killed or injured on the roads, and experiencing harrowing moments ourselves I guess it’s a bit disappointing that we failed to see the funny side of piano wire being stretched across roads. </sarcasm>
What This Episode Shows
- Times have shown they care nothing for journalistic integrity.
- Parris, made a misjudgement, maybe he sincerely regrets it, or maybe he was just a bit taken aback by the response.
- As quite a few commentators have mentioned if the word ‘cyclist’ had been subsitituted for another minority; – more serious action would have been taken
What would I do If I met Matthew Parris in the street?
- I would probably ask him whether, as an ex MP and responsible journalist, he had any good ideas to try and reduce the annual death toll of cyclists on British roads. I look forward to that article very much.
Does Matthew Parris deserve any punishment?
- If he was genuinely repentant, he would volunteer to cycle 50 miles through London, and get a real feeling of what it is like to be a cyclist. His next article on cycling might not be so daft.
Absolutely amazing.
An obvious afterthought, and to me very insincere.
Thanks for the update!
I’ve linked to this post in my follow-up.
If anyone does not think that actions similar to what he called for could not happen, please read my post of yesterday, reporting on the sick actions of an angry, misguided resident in my neck of the woods.
Click on my name to read: Fullerton Man in Trouble for Making Bike Trail Holes