Amanda Platell's Mail Column: truly repulsive
Yes, really.
She concedes that the video of the police officer striking him on the thigh, then throwing him to the ground as he walks past with his hands in his pockets is 'disturbing' - but then writes
'...another unpleasant insight into modern Britain and it concerns the way Ian Tomlinson's grieving family relished the media spotlight.
It was reported that his former wife, Julia, had been 'torn apart' by his death, though the couple had been estranged for some time.
As the mother of their nine children (five by her previous relationships), she added: 'When I close my eyes, I can't stop the video playing in my head. How Ian slams to the floor. How the officers don't go to his help. It is disgusting.'
This script was so word-perfect that I almost expected to see PR svengali Max Clifford (who offered his services to Jade Goody's family for an estimated £200,000 fee) to be hovering in the background. What Mrs Tomlinson forgot to add, however, was that her husband was a homeless, chronic alcoholic who had not lived in the 'family home' for 13 years.
And what about the fact that this man, apparently so cherished by this family, had for some time been forced to sleep in a series of hostels for the homeless or even on the streets?
Of course, I am not suggesting that the family are not grieving, but the facts of Ian Tomlinson's recent life must lead one to question the depth of their grief.
There is also something rather queasy about the instant appearance of campaign ribbons appealing for 'Justice for Dad' and the sight of lawyers rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect of a large compensation claim against the Metropolitan Police.
What an indictment of our tawdry world that 15 minutes of fame - and, if you're lucky, a small fortune in compensation - can be achieved through the public airing of grief. But then I suspect that Jade Goody's legacy will be with us for a long time.'Try reading it aloud, and when you come to an italicised bit, screw up your nose, purse your mouth up like a cat's bum and spit the words out of your mouth.
Or you could complain.
posted by Rachel at 6:34 pm
Frankly that woman sounds like a nasty piece of work.
Yes, that's what she is - a nasty piece of work!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Off-topic comment removed: this is a thread about a spiteful and totally unwarranted attack on a recently-bereaved family.
Platell would not have her pieces published were it not for her unfortunate excellence at turning the misfortunes of others into a means to devalue the pasts of such strangers whilst they are at a low.
Didn't she have a short-lived, unwatched attempt at a TV show a few years back? A 'tawdry lust for fame' indeed. She has attacked mourners in the past, and she will do so again - though thanks for the link to making a complaint.