Andrew Neil deliver a blistering rejoinder to the Islamic State militants that scarred Western Europe last week, opening Thursday’s BBC1 show 'This Week' with a near two-minute denunciation of the "Islamist scumbags" that killed 132 people in the French capital to “prove the future belongs to them rather than a civilization like France.”
“I can’t say I fancy their chances,” mocked Neil, before listing the cornerstones of French civilization, from Monet to Descartes, Rousseau to Camus, Berlioz to Satie, Daft Punk to Zizou Zidane… “Liberté, égalité, fraternité and crème Brulee.”
“Versus what?” he asked. “Beheadings, crucifixions, amputations, slavery, mass murder, medieval squalor and a death cult barbarity that would shame the Middle Ages.”
“I think the outcome is pretty clear to everyone but you,” Neil continued. “You will lose. In a thousand year’s time, Paris, that glorious city of lights, will still be shining bright as will every other city like it. And you will be as dust, along with the ragbag of fascist Nazis and Stalinists that previously dared to challenge democracy and failed.”
Neil's remarks struck a similar tone to a speech delivered by John Oliver, who on 'Last Week Tonight' addressed the terrorists with a straight: "Fuck you."
The comedian noted that the attack was carried out by "gigantic fucking arseholes," while musing on the Islamic State's likelihood of defeating the French way of life. "It is important to remember that nothing about what these arseholes are trying to do is going to work, and I'll tell you why: If you're in a war of culture and lifestyle with France - good fucking luck," he said.