As I write this, yet another ITV documentary about the Yorkshire Ripper has just gone out. So what was wrong with the 2019 one? Well, for one thing, instead of objectively setting out the facts and attempting to analyse them rationally, we got a condescending 21st century style rant in which Peter Sutcliffe's evil behaviour was excused as being only a small part of a terrifying anti-female conspiracy. It is an opinion of dubious merit presented as a solid fact. Ridiculous in the extreme, insulting to the memories of Sutcliffe's victims, and men who - like myself - lived through the 1970's and felt not the slightest inclination to murder or attack anyone, male or female. I kept expecting to see clips of Benny Hill being chased by Hill's Angels to appear to illustrate just how dreadful British men were at that time.
Perhaps, twenty years from now, ITV will allege that Raoul Moat and Wayne Couzens were innocent of their terrible crimes and that male attitudes at the time were to blame. If so, I wonder what the response will be?
Perhaps, twenty years from now, ITV will allege that Raoul Moat and Wayne Couzens were innocent of their terrible crimes and that male attitudes at the time were to blame. If so, I wonder what the response will be?