Reaction

The daylight murder of a British soldier outside his Woolwich barracks this week has given rise to a tidal wave of condemnation from the public and politicians alike. And rightly so. On the same day, the trial was taking place of the man accused of the murder of five year old April Jones. In both cases, a life was needlessly taken but the reason for doing so rather different.

In the case of the murdered soldier, the men responsible cited their reason. They claimed it was done because it highlighted what the British army was doing to people of their faith in other countries. In the case of April Jones, the man accused seems intent on keeping the details of her death and, by intimation, her final resting place, a mystery. This may well end up being referred for psychiatric reports with the accused man being detained indefinitely on psychiatric grounds.

Not so long ago, Norway had to deal with the aftermath of Anders Breivik who saw fit to murder 69 young Norwegians because they belonged to the Workers' Youth League of the Labour Party. Idealogically speaking, Breivik was about as far right as it is possible to be without actually falling off the edge. He was eventually diagnosed as having a condition called narcissistic personality disorder. His far right views were thus attributed more to his psychiatric state than his actual insight.

In each of these three cases, the one common theme is the innocent loss of life or, to put it another way, murder. In the case of the two men in Woolwich who were shot by the police, they will face the music in due course and, no doubt, indulge us with their views, however unpalatable. I am glad they were not shot dead. An eye for an eye would have played directly in to their own warped view of the world. As is stands, they will have to live with the enormity of their actions. Even a brainwashed mind can't be in denial of murder for ever. At 28 years of age, they will have plenty of time to reflect on their action. It has been heartening to see the Islamic community unite in their condemnation of this appalling act. The moslems I know are rightly disgusted that their faith has been sullied in this manner. Whether or not we have a faith, we none of us have the right to take the life of another - under any pretext.

The danger from this weeks' savage killing is the sympathy for the extremists which may ensue - on both sides. As I write, the English Defence League is marching in Newcastle upon Tyne with 1500 people joining them. On the other side of the fence, a radical moslem has this week refused to condemn the actions of the two men in Woolwich. As sickening as this, his views are thankfully in the minority where they belong. The frightening part of all this is that if a General Election was being held this week, I shudder to think how many people would feel disposed to vote for far right parties for all the wrong reasons.

When murders of this or any type occur, they go against common decency and have no place in any society. The perpetrators are understandably reviled by the public. That said, we mustn't make the mistake of striking out against the faith concerned. I know this is already happening and would urge everyone to take stock and calm down. However upsetting this week has been for everyone, what's done is done. Sadly, we can't turn back time but can seek to learn lessons. In the three cases to which I have alluded here, those responsible all seem to have been on the fringes of our society. It is arguably the task of society to reel in those on the fringes and seek to include and integrate them. Ostracising them will only have the opposite effect and will help nobody.

For the family of the murdered soldier, I may only guess at their grief. A two year old boy has now been deprived of his Dad and his wife and family are now faced with picking up the pieces. They have been in my thoughts all week because I know they face a very difficult time in the days, weeks and months to come.

This weeks events are a blessing for people like Nick Griffin and the English Defence League but they needn't be. As a society, we must keep our resolve and not descend to the level which has abhorred us all this week.

The media has been widely chastised for its graphic portrayal of the events in Woolwich as they unfolded. While they might have been more discreet in their editing, mobile phones with cameras and video allied to a vibrant social media will forever more ensure that such events are shown to us all. Whether we want to see them is up to us. There will always be those who seek to create division among us. Our job is to be even more determined to stand firm.