06/08/2019
The story of a six year old boy falling from a 10th floor balcony at the Tate Modern, onto the roof of the fifth floor below, is rather harrowing.
Given the height of the railings at this viewing area, it seems highly unlikely that the child would have been able to climb and have an accidental fall without having been stopped by a member of his family or another member of the public.
The police have confirmed that a 17 year old boy has been arrested for attempted murder.
This individual is not being named, due to their age.
What has been said, is that there is no known link between the victim and the alleged perpetrator.
So, what was the motive for the attack on such a small child?
Was it a random act of violence, or is there something else at play?
The victim and his parents are French and were visitors to the UK, enjoying some of the usual tourist activities. There has been nothing to suggest they were anything other than an ordinary family on holiday.
Whilst I hope it isn't the case; it is hard not to consider the possibility that the alleged perpetrator was another xenophobe, stirred on by the hatred and division caused by Brexit and and encouraged by the ugly rhetoric of the likes of our new Prime Minister and slimy charlatans like Nigel Farage.
Was it simply a case of a teenager, taught to hate those who are different to himself, reacting in a disgusting manner to tourists conversing in their own language?
Whatever the case, my thoughts are with the child and his family; I hope he makes a full and speedy recovery.
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