Poorest of excuses

The phrase ­explains nothing but is used to excuse virtually every human failure. A nurse neglects a dementia patient, “She is only human”, a soldier abuses an insurgent, “He is only human”, a banker fiddles the Libor rates, a priest abuses a child etc. . . all are “only human”.

Everyone should aspire to ­better standards no matter what field they work in and not ­succumb to such pathetic and worthless  excuses.

Is Mr McTernan guilty of lazy journalism? “Well, he is only human.”

Neil Sinclair

Clarence Street

Edinburgh