In a live web chat on the Channel 4 website last night, long-time animal rights activist John Curtin said he wanted a gentler world, based on love and compassion. But he implied, without actually saying it directly, that he is determined to use violence, intimidation and harassment if necessary to achieve it. How big a contradiction does there have to be for John to start to notice?

John also said that he doesn’t agree with other groups like anti-abortionists and Islamic jihadists, just acting on their beliefs. So it’s only the animal rights extremists then John? Thank you for clarifying that. How thoughtful.