Tragic Shooting

I have just read the Met Police statement on the man who was shot by officers yesterday, and it appears that a dreadful mistake has been made. I have nothing to say about the incident - there will be a full enquiry of course, and whatever its findings I am sure that we will all recognise that in the present situation, just as in the earlier Irish conflict, mistakes will happen and innocent people will die.

What does strike me is that the gloating that took place after the event in the press ("One Down Three to Go") and on the Internet, where it was as intemperate as we must expect from this most uninhibited medium, now looks particularly foolish and disgusting.

Yet again, the best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity. This is going to be a very long road, I am afraid.