Pickles story takes the biscuit

Ivy Eileen

Yes, but James (whilst true at the time) it isn't so nice an analogy nowadays. McGrath's wife died last year from cancer after a long illness.

Jonathan_T

James - yes, as Ivy says, the McGrath story is apparently true, but you should pull the comparison.

Glenn McGrath has recently done huge amounts to raise the profile of breast cancer prevention and research and raised large sums of money in the process. This included Jane McGrath day at the Sydney New Year test against South Africa where all spectators were encouraged to wear pink, stumps were painted pink, sponsors logos changed to pink etc.

pat

it is a standard response to many situations that can be adapted to any situation

Paul B

Rod Marsh (a stereotypical Ockker wicketkeepr) to Ian
Botham: When Botham comes into bat in an Ashes match, Marsh welcomed him to the wicket with the immortal words:
"So how's your wife & my kids?"

McGrath to Ramnaresh Sarwan: "So what does Brian Lara's d*ck taste like?" Sarwan: "I don't know. Ask your wife." McGrath (losing it): "If you ever effing mention my wife again, I'll F*ing rip your F*fing throat out."

Flemingcrag

It's a pity Pickles wasn't so sharp with his answer on Question Time when asked about his second home. Then he did a fair impersonation of my goldfish, thing was, my goldfish made more sense.

George Laird

Dear James

I think this is a piece that you could remove from the website.

As a mark of respect to the Late Mrs McGrath.

I am sure everyone wouldn't mind.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

James Forsyth

My intention was in no way to mock Glenn McGrath but to wonder at how authentic the Pickles story was. Many apologies to those who I have offended.

Ian W

Paul B: Botham's response was "My wife is fine - the kids are retarded" (see http://blogs.cricinfo.com/ashesbuzz/archives/2006/11/the_top_ten_ash.php)

Ivy Eileen

I am sure we all believe you didn't know. Pickles undoubtedly "adapted" the story.

Paul B

Thanks Ian W- that makes it even better.

mitch

George - the McGrath story is true and can therefore be referred to. Just because the wife recently died doesn't make it not true, or out of bounds.
Stealing another man's joke is the sign of a cad. Pickles should be ashamed of himself.

Ivy Eileen

James, c'mon. It's over 12 hours since your apology. Either pull it entirely or depersonalise it (e.g. an Australian fast bowler) - though it's getting pretty late for that now.

Paul B

The original quotes are crude and funny, I sure (in the same way George Laird is sure everyone wouldn`1t mind) that McGrath wouldn`t , stop being so po faced and sensitive. Leave it in James, humour shouldn`t be censored.

Donna

Absolutely, Paul B. Hear hear.

George Laird

Dear All

There are many things in life which are true but that doesn't mean they are appropriate to be aired.

I am sure that James Forysth was unaware of the fact of Mrs McGarth's death from cancer.

Recently; we all condemned Labour for deliberately targeting innocent people and quite rightly so.

When something happens by accident we should have the courage to be brave enough to delete.

Some people accuse me of being 'po faced and sensitive', I am as my critics on the Melanie Phillips blog know, not sensitive at all.

I do however recognise that doing the right thing is still the right thing.

One thing I find is that people can find something funny when it doesn't directly impact on them.

Does Mrs McGarth's family need to remind that a 'joke' was fashioned that implied she was a slut?

When David Cameron's son died; I stated that the Cameron family shouldn't be targeted, was I wrong?

You Tories all agreed with that, what is the difference in showing the McGarth family some respect?

Don't they deserve equal treatment?

If not, why not?

Not a high enough status or is because some on here have an eye on the Tory career ladder?

Mitch states;

"Stealing another man's joke is the sign of a cad".

Like all Tories; he can't see the big picture and for the avoidence of doubt if you think back to Pickles being appointed Chairman of the Tory Party, I stated at the time Cameron got it wrong too.

Finally; Paul B says humour shouldn't be censored, where is the humour that the McGarth family can have in this?

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

Daryl Gee

George, your plea for respect for Jane McGrath might be a bit more respectable if you paid her the respect of getting her name right.

With respect,
Daryl