[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

All I can tell you is that I've stood shoulder to shoulder with a Jewish mate on a night out while he's had dog's abuse about the kind of nonsense Whelan came out with yesterday, and he didn't feel inclined to laugh it off. Yes, some Jewish comedians make a joke out of it, and fair play to them; they view it as a handy defence mechanism. (I'm reminded of the great Groucho Marx in a swanky New York hotel in the 1930s, who, when getting ready to go for a swim, was suddenly told by a staff member that no Jews were allowed in the pool. In a heartbeat, he answered: "Well, my son's only half-Jewish; can he go in up to his waist?") But for all Groucho joked, the hotel didn't change its rules for him. They didn't change until decent folks actually stood up to them.

My mate was always inclined to a laugh and a joke about stereotypes as well - it is one of the best ways for people to get on with one another, and I too have laughed and bantered with all manner of people in my life - but I've seen his honest, gut-wrenching reaction when a stranger's come up to him and started flinging this "money-grabber" shit at him out of nowhere, and it wasn't pretty. So seeing someone in a position of wealth, power and influence apparently peddling the same moronic stuff? Nope, not letting that slide.

All I've asked is for Dave Whelan to explain what he meant. I won't apologise for that. I won't be ashamed of that. In the circumstances, it is absolutely the right thing to do.