The Times incites murder!

On December 27th Matthew Parris, a columnist in The Times incited murder: What’s smug and deserves to be decapitated?

A festive custom we could do worse than foster would be stringing piano wire across country lanes to decapitate cyclists.

Cyclists have already been badly injured by this horrific custom (see Matthew Parris wants you decapitated » Treadly and Me). A mother has written to The Times complaining about this as her son was injured in such an attack.

Personally, I think Mr Parris should be investigated by the Police, he should be fired by The Times who should print a significant apology and retraction of these remarks and make a significant contribution to cycle advocacy.

I have just checked The Times Terms & Conditions.

Except for death or personal injury caused by negligent acts or omissions, we shall only be liable to you for any loss or damage arising from your use of the Websites which is a reasonably foreseeable consequence of a breach by us of these Terms and Conditions.

Clearly The Times has not attempted to reduce their liability when they incite murder or personal injury.

Besides the 130+ comments on The Times story there are lots of good posts on this subject  Matthew Parris wants you decapitated » Treadly and Me has a good selection to get you started.

Note that in the comments many cyclists defend cycling against the accusations. I don't see the point. Even if every accusation  Matthew Parris makes against cyclists were true (I don't think any of them are) and even if worse than that were true there is still no justification for inciting murder and injury.

Comments

[PamBG]

I can't even find the words!!!

I can just see Matthew Parris responding 'Just because I've given psycopaths a creative new idea for hurting others, it doesn't mean that they have to go out and do it.'

Shame on him.

[Tejvan Pettinger]

It's certainly annoyed a lot of cyclists and with good reasons - there was a spate of attacks on cyclists in Oxfordshire this summer