Jade Goody

It is of course always sad when a young woman dies of cancer. However I was not pleased by Prime Minister Gordon Brown's "tribute" this morning.

Gordon says ...

"She was a courageous woman both in life and death and the whole country have admired her determination to provide a bright future for her children.

Well whatever one's opinion of Jade that clearly isn't true. She's drawn both praise and criticism for her actions as she's approached death; and there's clearly some scope for debate about how courageous she was in life. Her treatment of Shilpa Shetty was not courageous - it was the action of a cowardly bully.

I am pleased that Jade apologised for her actions on Celebrity Big Brother. Actions which did not, as the BBC reports, result in her "being accused of being racist" - No - she was witnessed by millions systematically and collaboratively bullying Shilpa Shetty in a racist way. It happened, it was real and it was very unpleasant.

As I say though, I'm pleased she apologised, and it's clear that her actions since then have been far more praiseworthy than many of the ones before. The public reaction to the way in which she's conducted her dying days can be likened to the parable of the lost sheep - more joy in heaven over one sinner etc etc - although I'm no Christian, this is very understandable.

Her plight has also raised awareness of cervical cancer across the whole country, and I think her efforts to provide for her family after her death are admirable. I genuinely comiserate with them in their grief.

Let's not kid ourselves though Gordon - Jade will not be "remembered fondly by all who knew her" - there'll be plenty who have some far from fond memories.