Darren Slade (right), a columnist with the Bournemouth Echo,
wonders if it’s time
to apologise for the
recent outbreak of
saying “sorry”.

I’m sorry about this, but what follows is another column on the subject of apologising.

The topic has been everywhere over the past few weeks, hasn’t it?

There was David Beckham admitting to something not very sporting and then apologising once he realised he’d landed himself in trouble.

There was MP and Spectator editor Boris Johnson being ordered to go to Liverpool and apologise for offending practically everyone there.

And then there was the apology which Tony Blair may or may not have offered for the whole weapons of mass destruction thing.

As a result of all this, it seems you’ve hardly been able to switch on the radio or TV lately without hearing an item about apologies, invariably set to Elton John’s hit Sorry Seems To Be the Hardest Word.

(Incidentally, does anybody think it’s about time Sir Elton apologised for reworking that song with the connivance of Blue? Pop stars can be forgiven for being past their prime, but Elton seems to be intent on systematically destroying his own back catalogue, what with that one and Candle in the Wind ’97.)

Now, the word “sorry” is supposed to be an immensely powerful and healing thing.

So why does it so often fail to convince people?

Like most parents, I think I know a little bit about apologies.

That’s because I am constantly having to force them out of two small boys when I’m refereeing an argument. So here are my personal tips on how to frame an apology.

1. Make it clear. Tony Blair told his party: “I can apologise for the information that turned out to be wrong, but I can’t, sincerely at least, apologise for removing Saddam.” The trouble was, this left people scratching their heads. Was he saying sorry or wasn’t he?

Read on…