Not wishing to be excessively nasty, but I could name several Nuremberg defendants who had an easier time apologizing for their anti-Semitism than Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. He finally did say the A word, but, goodness, it was like pulling the teeth of a Yeti you met up inside a cave in the Himalayas. Just watch the exchange between This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield and Corbyn on Tuesday – and tell me the experience wasn’t gut wrenching for you.
Don’t forget, this apology thing has been discussed across the English-speaking world (as well as the Jewish feeling world) for more than a week. Corbyn has had ample time to get his media consultants together to come up with a good response that would make a dent in the pile of road rocks dragged down on the hapless Labour chairman by UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis a week and a half ago. This is the best they managed to come up with:
Schofield: “Here is your opportunity now to apologise to the Jewish community for any anti-Semitism by Labour members.”
Corbyn: “Look, our party… Can I make it clear?”
Schofield: “Just say sorry”
Corbyn: “Can I make it clear? Wait a minute…”
Schofield: “No, just say sorry”
Corbyn: “Can I say something?”
Schofield: “I want you to say sorry”
Ahhhh…