Post by Teddy Bear on May 3, 2007 21:43:40 GMT
Why he cannot forgive Magee
By Nicole Martin
Last Updated: 11:37am BST 03/05/2007
Lord Tebbit has accused the BBC of "debased standards" after it invited him to take part in a programme with the man who planted a bomb at the Grand Hotel in Brighton 23 years ago, which resulted in his wife being left paralysed.
The BBC was surprised by Lord Tebbit's reaction
The former Cabinet minister said he found it "distasteful" that the corporation was elevating the bomber Patrick Magee to celebrity status.
Lord Tebbit was to take part this Sunday on the Radio 4 programme The Reunion, hosted by Sue MacGregor.
Guests will include Jo Berry, the daughter of MP Sir Anthony Berry, who was one of five people killed, and Harvey Thomas, the former Tory press officer who fell three floors in the bombing at the Conservative Party conference.
Lord Tebbit said he could not forgive Magee, who was sentenced to eight life terms in 1986 with the recommendation that he serve a minimum of 35 years. He was released in 1999 under the Good Friday Agreement.
"Had I taken part in this happy reunion party it would have given the ever fair-minded Miss Sue MacGregor the opening to invite me to forgive Mr Magee," he said.
"But I am weary of explaining that forgiveness is not a one-way street. The transgressor cannot be forgiven unless he acknowledges the evil of what he had done, shows remorse and repentance."
A BBC spokesman said she was surprised by Lord Tebbit's reaction. "We knew in advance about his views so he was never asked to be in the same room as Patrick Magee," she said. "He offered to do a pre-recorded interview and has also written a letter, extracts of which will be read on the programme."
By Nicole Martin
Last Updated: 11:37am BST 03/05/2007
Lord Tebbit has accused the BBC of "debased standards" after it invited him to take part in a programme with the man who planted a bomb at the Grand Hotel in Brighton 23 years ago, which resulted in his wife being left paralysed.
The BBC was surprised by Lord Tebbit's reaction
The former Cabinet minister said he found it "distasteful" that the corporation was elevating the bomber Patrick Magee to celebrity status.
Lord Tebbit was to take part this Sunday on the Radio 4 programme The Reunion, hosted by Sue MacGregor.
Guests will include Jo Berry, the daughter of MP Sir Anthony Berry, who was one of five people killed, and Harvey Thomas, the former Tory press officer who fell three floors in the bombing at the Conservative Party conference.
Lord Tebbit said he could not forgive Magee, who was sentenced to eight life terms in 1986 with the recommendation that he serve a minimum of 35 years. He was released in 1999 under the Good Friday Agreement.
"Had I taken part in this happy reunion party it would have given the ever fair-minded Miss Sue MacGregor the opening to invite me to forgive Mr Magee," he said.
"But I am weary of explaining that forgiveness is not a one-way street. The transgressor cannot be forgiven unless he acknowledges the evil of what he had done, shows remorse and repentance."
A BBC spokesman said she was surprised by Lord Tebbit's reaction. "We knew in advance about his views so he was never asked to be in the same room as Patrick Magee," she said. "He offered to do a pre-recorded interview and has also written a letter, extracts of which will be read on the programme."