Martin Bashir issues 'unreserved apology' to Sarah Palin after calling her an idiot and making shocking suggestion

19 Nov 2013 08:14The British broadcaster admitted his comments had been "deeply offensive" and unworthy of anyone with an interest in politics

 

British journalist Martin Bashir has issued an "unreserved apology" for comments he made about Sarah Palin, in which he branded the American politician a "world class idiot" and suggested someone should defecate in her mouth.

The broadcaster prompted outrage with a section of his MSNBC show last week, where he reacted to a speech in which Palin had compared the burden of the US' national debt to slavery.

He called her "America's resident dunce", before suggesting someone should defecate in her mouth in a reenactment of a punishment a Jamaican slave master used during the 1750s.

But he has now issued a grovelling apology, describing his own comments as "deeply offensive".

In a video clip posted on MSNBC's website he said: "I wanted to take this opportunity to say sorry to Mrs Palin, and to also offer an unreserved apology to her friends and family, her supporters, our viewers, and anyone who may have heard what I said.

"My words were wholly unacceptable. They were neither accurate nor fair. They were unworthy of anyone who would claim to have an interest in politics, and they brought shame upon my friends and colleagues at this network, none of whom were responsible for the things that I said, and at a place where we try every day to elevate political discourse and focus on issues that matter to all of us."

He went on to repeat that he was "deeply sorry", said he wished he had been "more thoughtful, more considerate and more compassionate", and that the backlash had taught him that the "politics of vitriol and destruction is a miserable place to be and a miserable person to become."

He concludes: "I promise I will take the opportunity to learn from this experience."

Watch Martin Bashir's original comments here:         

 

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MoD statement: Afghan murder a 'truly shocking aberration'

Following the guilty verdict in the court martial of a serviceman charged with murder, Brigadier Bill Dunham, Deputy Commandant General of the Royal Marines, says the murder of an Afghan soldier by a marine "should not have happened and it should never happen again" 4:20PM GMT 08 Nov 2013

One of Britain's highest ranking Royal Marines has branded the cold-blooded execution of an injured Afghan insurgent as "truly shocking and appalling".

Brigadier Bill Dunham spoke out after a commando was convicted of murdering the seriously wounded prisoner in Helmand Province two years ago.

A court martial board found the serviceman, known only as Marine A, guilty of murder following a two-week trial at the military court centre in Bulford, Wiltshire.

Two others, known only as Marines B and C, were acquitted of the same charge, contrary to Section 42 of the Armed Forces Act 2006, by the seven-strong board.

Brigadier Dunham said: "It is a matter of profound regret in this isolated incident that one marine failed to apply his training and discharge his responsibilities.

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"What we have heard over the last two weeks is not consistent with the ethos, values and standards of the Royal Marines.

"It was a truly shocking and appalling aberration. It should not have happened and it should never happen again."

During the trial, the court martial heard the marines were on patrol in a "kinetic" area of Afghanistan on September 15 2011 when they discovered the insurgent lying seriously injured in a field.

Marine A directed his comrades to move the man, an Afghan national, into a wooded area before shooting him at close range in the centre of his chest.

As the man convulsed on the grount, Marine A told him: "There you are. Shuffle off this mortal coil, you c

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Shocking video shows SCHOOLBOY bank robber pointing imitation gun at terrified Barclays staff

23 Oct 2013 08:10Footage shows the boy storming into a Barclays branch, his jacket hood pulled tight over his face, and brandished the firearm

 

This is the shocking moment a schoolboy bank robber - described as a

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Shocking CCTV shows moment American student attacked with glass bottle for 'not being local'

23 Oct 2013 10:19Francesco Hounye, 22, suffered serious injuries and has been scarred for life after he was set upon by five Asian men just three days after arriving in the UK from Florida

 

This shocking CCTV footage shows the moment an American student was attacked with a bottle by a gang of thugs simply because he 'wasn't local'.

Francesco Hounye, 22, was set upon by five Asian men as he walked home from a night out with a friend, just three days after arriving in the UK from Florida.

CCTV shows the gang smash a glass bottle in his face before chasing him and repeatedly punching and kicking him.

Police have now released footage of the attack, which happened around 20 past midnight on June 17 in Commercial Road, east London, in a bid to trace the suspects.

Detectives say Mr Hounye, who had been on a night out in the Brick Lane area with a 23-year-old who he was staying with, was targeted because he was "obviously not local".

The video shows the pair walking back to the friend's home in Shadwell when they were confronted by the gang.

Following a heated exchange, one of the suspects grabbed a bottle the victim was drinking from and smashed it in his face.

As Mr Hounye tried to escape, the men chased after him and continued to beat him up before fleeing.

The victim suffered deep slash wounds to his head and right ear as well as internal injuries and a chipped tooth.

He was taken to the Royal London Hospital where he received 23 stitches and will now be scarred for life.

Mr Hounye said: "As a result of this incident I am now scared to go out on my own in London. I am a visitor to the UK and was considering continuing my studies here but this incident has made me think twice.

"I feel very emotional about the whole situation. I also now face the rest of my life with the permanent scarring that will be left on my face as a result of this attack.

"Every time I look in the mirror from now on I will be reminded of this incident."

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Ben Mott, said: "We believe the suspects picked a fight with the victim as he was obviously not from the local area and they took exception to the fact that he was a bit different.

"The victim has an Italian accent, his own style of dress and mannerisms and, when challenged by the Asian males, answered them back.

"They retaliated by grabbing the bottle and launching a vicious attack that has left him scarred for life. He had come to the UK to enhance his studies and has been left so shocked and horrified by what happened that he feels unsafe and is unsure if he wants to stay here.

"The CCTV footage is exceptionally clear and I believe the suspects to be local. I would ask people to please look closely at the faces of the attackers and help us identify them. I am positive someone would know who they are from looking at the footage."

The suspects are described as Asian and aged in their late teens to early 20s. They are possibly Bengali.

The man who used the bottle was wearing a red and white striped short-sleeved top with black trousers, white trainers and a large watch.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Tower Hamlets CID on 020 7275 4546 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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