Just A Reminder That Andrew Bolt Is Still Defending A Convicted Paedophile
"None of us defend paedophiles" says Andrew Bolt while once-again defending Cardinal George Pell.
This week, Andrew Bolt downplayed an incident in which a teacher at St Kevins College in Melbourne groomed a student as the older man merely “hitting on” the boy.
This story includes reference to sexual assault.
Almost immediately, Bolt faced widespread outcry from child protection groups, sections of the media, and the victim himself, Paris Street, who said the comments made him “sick”.
Unusually for him, Bolt apologised. “I should have thought of Paris Street, the boy, and how he may have heard it,” the conservative commentator said. “And I’m really sorry to you, Paris.”
Andrew Bolt has apologised to Paris Street, the victim of grooming by a sports coach at St Kevin’s College, who was the subject of a recent ABC investigation.https://t.co/sPgwEFDDUN
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) February 20, 2020
But despite the out-of-character act of contrition, Bolt has done little to help his reputation more broadly when it comes to the matter of defending convicted pedophiles. In fact, Bolt once again voiced his support of convicted pedophile Cardinal George Pell as recently as two days ago, during the Street controversy.
Responding to the critics who have pointed out that Bolt has a history of defending the convicted pedophile, the commentator again doubled down on his support of Pell, paradoxically arguing that it’s his position on the Cardinal that proves his moral mettle.
“If I really thought that George Pell was a pedophile, I’d go for his throat. I think you know me. I think you know I don’t put up with that kind of crap,” he said.
“It’s precisely because I think that Pell is innocent of this crime for which he has been convicted that I defend him. Just as many lawyers, judges from both sides of politics defend him too. None of us defend pedophiles. Nor do I defend some creep who grooms a child, tries to seduce him. What kind of planet are my critics on to think I would.
“The only thing I defend is justice and a fair go. And maybe my critics should try the same.”
Bold words, given that the man has given a thoroughly unfair go to everything from climate science to musician Mo’Ju.
Watch the whole speech from Bolt here. The part concerning Pell starts at the five minute mark. George Pell’s appeal of his conviction is currently before the High Court.