Someone who's sorry for Sir Fred

Work
and
Pensions III
Sheila Hetherington

A bridge – to something better? Photograph by Islay McLeod

I feel genuinely sorry for Sir Fred. He may be just over halfway through his life and may now contemplate spending his declining years in comfort not to say considerable personal luxury.
     The dismal prospect for him is that he must also live with the awareness that he has wrought havoc. It will be like being in Hell. When he wakens in the night or in the morning, all through the daytime and into the evening, he will be conscious of the harm that he has done, as a result of which he has lost the respect of many of his fellow human beings. Who will offer him friendship, warmth, comradeship, invite him to dine? Public disdain will also inevitably – and unfairly – affect members of his own family: a misfortune that will also bring him personal anguish.
     Some of us remember Jack Profumo, who redeemed his mistake by committing his life to community work, ultimately regaining the respect – and the self-respect – that had been lost. I hope that Sir Fred may find a similar role for himself. He could set up a Goodwin Foundation, dedicating his money and undoubted energy to a great cause. Everyone makes mistakes in life, though fortunately not on such a colossal scale, but redemption is ever possible. (If I sound like some latter-day preacher, pious and holier-than-thou, forgive me!)
     If Sir Fred can help to alleviate suffering, or improve the lives of others by his own lifelong efforts, we will come to honour his name.