Today I had the rare pleasure of a 30 minute car journey to work Jeremy Paxman (JP) and the late Christopher Hitchens (CH).

I am, of course, referring to a YouTube video interview from 2010, at a time when cancer had taken a hold of CH. The interview was a perfect duration for my journey and caused me much reflection.

Having been brought up as a Protestant, with a Free Church of Scotland Minister for a father, it had taken me in excess of 40 years to admit to myself that I found the whole idea of religion somewhat boring at best and positively frightening at its’ worst. CH was the primary catalyst for this admission and awakening. A realisation that, actually, I had no need of any help or intervention from the supernatural. I was perfectly fine thank you very much.

The interview is a piece of dialogue I now revert to often to bring a smile to my face. A man assured of his place on this earth, CH was without doubt an inspiration to many including myself. His ability to soften a normally abrasive JP is a rarity, and I encourage all to listen.

PM