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Richard Madeley apologises for ‘misjudged’ advice column about domestic violence

Written by on 02/07/2020

Richard Madeley has apologised for an advice column in which he appeared to downplay a reader’s concerns that their neighbour might be a victim of domestic violence.

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The TV presenter, who writes an agony uncle page for The Daily Telegraph, said his critics were “absolutely right” after the reader’s letter and his response attracted attention on social media.

Charities including Standing Together Against Domestic Violence and Refuge described his advice as “appalling and dangerous”.

Published on Saturday, the anonymous reader described hearing “bangs and crashes and shouting” coming from their neighbouring property, saying it happened on “most nights”.

They also wrote: “Due to the strange nightly activity and fighting, I feel conflicted, as things just don’t seem right.”

The letter continued: “I worry that something could come to light in the future and I would feel guilty because I did nothing, despite a gut feeling that things are not right.”

In his response, Madeley suggested that “if some sort of serious abuse was involved you’d have noticed it (in the form of black eyes, cut lips and the like, or late night visits from the police after drunken 999 calls)”.

He also wrote: “If they were going to kill each other, they’d have done it by now.”

One Twitter user wrote: “This kind of advice is why survivors are continually disbelieved and why abuse continues to be ‘hidden’ (it’s not that hidden, it’s just ignored).”

Following criticism of his reply, Madeley apologised in a statement posted on Twitter on Tuesday.

The 64-year-old said he had contacted a number of people to say sorry and that he will address the issue in his next column at the weekend.

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“Hi everyone. My critics 2day are absolutely right – I misjudged this one, tonally and in content. SO annoyed with self,” Madeley wrote.

“Have reached out this afternoon 2 various people to apologise+will address it in Saturday’ paper.”

His statement concluded with the Latin phrase “mea culpa”, meaning “through my fault”.

Following his apology, Standing Together Against Domestic Violence thanked those who highlighted the column and also thanked Madeley for “owning” his mistake.

(c) Sky News 2020: Richard Madeley apologises for ‘misjudged’ advice column about domestic violence