More and more people both here and in Portugal are now of the opinion that the McCann's behaviour was, at the very least, negligent and irresponsible in leaving three babies unattended.

Dress as you wish, they committed a crime.

Public expressions of views of this kind are quite new. They are perhaps a post-Diana phenomenon. We simply didn't used to respond so effusively to such crimes as neglect.

Don't get me wrong, I have great sympathy for the McCann family.

But for those who didn't know the McCann family personally, this is where it should have end. The fact so many join in such a public, frenzied, outpouring is stomach turning. Most of the logical posts here are from Americans.

It is almost impossible not to cringe at the thought of just how some have carried on.
few of you acknowledge a crime has been committed by the parents in your rush to join in, and reflect, a national outpouring as intense as any seen since the death of Princess Diana.

I think if your truly honest with yourselves, grabbing this opportunity to connect with others, and to temper your isolation and loneliness is closer to the truth.These are ultimately cries for connection from an atomised populace yearning for company. They demonstrate how desperately in need some are for something to bond over.It is about feeling good, not doing good and illustrates not how altruistic some have become.


A distinction can be made between genuine compassion (which is about others, and which we have seen this month) and conspicuous compassion (which is only about us).

At this time, we should find the honesty to admit it and make a vow to remember it. So the next time some like this occurs, we might put the whole thing into perspective, let their family and friends support them and realise that it's not actually about us.