Bernard Manning

Whenever a public figure dies there is a tendency to play down their failings. This comes from the basic decency most people have that results in a laudable reluctance to speak ill of those who have died.
Bernard Manning's death is undoubtedly a sad event for his friends and family. It would be a terrible error however to ignore the tasteless material he used in acts that was hugely offensive to both ethnic minorities and gay people and portray him as some kind of Northern working class hero.
If we accept it is wrong to criticise those who cannot defend themselves it would perhaps be best for those of us who disliked him to note Mr Manning's death, nothing more. It is certainly misguided for the Manchester Evening News to invite people to pay tribute to him.