It will be no surprise to many to hear that I am a bit of a Ken Livingstone fan. I have been for many years and I like his political persuasion which is not too different to mine in many ways.

It is disappointing to see how things are rolling out with these comments that he made to a reporter. Sadly, I think Ken needs to learn a lesson which many of us, as Christians need to learn and, I think adhere to, as well.

Ken does not think he has done anything wrong and so he s using this as a basis for a refusal to apologise for comments that have hurt others. How often we see the church acting like this – or rather some individuals in the church. Comments made against those who happen to be of a different sex, or a different sexuality, or of preference for a different style of worship, or of a different viewpoint or churchmanship. The harshness of the comments are justified by the words ‘I am right and they are wrong’.

It is ok, of course, to have our personal opinions and to speak our mind. We live in a democracy and it is very right to have our freedom of speech. I do believe, though, that where there is a freedom of speech we also need to keep a certain dignity and respect for others. Jesus clearly asks us to put the needs of others before our own. I assume that stretches to our ‘need’ to be right all the time!

If our comments have hurt someone, whether we are right or not is unimportant; surely the situation necessitates an apology. I might not actually disagree with what I have said, or feel that I have done anything wrongat all; but if I can see I have upset someone I hope I can make the apology.

Ken may be happy with what he has said – but he has upset a massive number of people from the Jewish community and so he should be apologising for the upset he has caused.

As Christians, as the church, we can take a lead in this. It’s a big lesson to learn, and often a hard one to carry out, but keeping that compassion and dignity of concern for the feelings of others above our sense of personal justice is surely the correct way to go.