Ken should say sorry
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.No one seems to have accused Ken Livingstone, the mayor of London, of being anti-Semitic. His choice of insult, likening Oliver Finegold, the Evening Standard journalist, who is Jewish, to a concentration camp guard was certainly ill-judged. The incident, in which Mr Livingstone took offence at being asked (polite) questions as he left a party and Mr Finegold took offence at the (rude) replies, was trivial in itself. But wider offence has been taken, and it is an elementary rule of good manners, as of political expediency, that a prompt apology costs nothing and allows everyone to move on. Such an apology would do nothing to compromise Mr Livingstone's virulent and admirable anti-fascism. He has caused himself unnecessary damage by delaying the inevitable.
No one seems to have accused Ken Livingstone, the mayor of London, of being anti-Semitic. His choice of insult, likening Oliver Finegold, the Evening Standard journalist, who is Jewish, to a concentration camp guard was certainly ill-judged. The incident, in which Mr Livingstone took offence at being asked (polite) questions as he left a party and Mr Finegold took offence at the (rude) replies, was trivial in itself. But wider offence has been taken, and it is an elementary rule of good manners, as of political expediency, that a prompt apology costs nothing and allows everyone to move on. Such an apology would do nothing to compromise Mr Livingstone's virulent and admirable anti-fascism. He has caused himself unnecessary damage by delaying the inevitable.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments