Would You Intervene?

[ladybirder]

Charles Saatchi has got his wife, Nigella Lawson by the throat in a restaurant in London. Criticism is being levelled at onlookers who didn't intervene. Would you intervene between man and wife in this situation?

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/nigella-lawson-attacked-husband-see-1955564

[1ndex]

och.... I'd have challenged him to an arm wrestle, she doesnt know the rules.

[DaisyNonna]

Naomi, my thoughts were a jug of iced water.

[2sp_]

I think I would have intervened, if only by yelling at him and causing a fuss.

There is no excuse for his behaviour. How does he behave in private?

[ludwig]

// she has left home with a suitcase //

Good.

[society]

I don't care if I'm told to shut up and mind my business, but, in a situation like this I'd always inquire if 'the person' was alright.

Part of her crying was probably due from her being embarrassed in public like this.

[Connemmara]

agree with most answers - but very convenient there was a photographer there - "publicity stunt" altho not very nice. If I thought it was genuine I couldn't physically intervene as I am not strong but would throw a torrent of abuse to stop him.

[ludwig]

Hopefully there's enough independent evidence for the police to charge him with assault.

[naomi24]

//very convenient there was a photographer there - "publicity stunt" altho not very nice.//

If it was, it's bad publicity. I imagine another diner took the picture on a mobile phone.

[anneasquith]

publicity stunt ? really !!!!!!!!! for what ?

[bibblebub]

the police are looking into it http://www.spin1038.com/page/1.74.416/6567/0/Police_to_investigate_Nigella_Lawson_incident

[Octavius]

"I imagine another diner took the picture on a mobile phone."

Quite easily could have switched over to video then, which would have provided much more clarity on what was going on. The restaurant have said they noticed nothing out of turn. Would I intervene? If I knew for sure that something untoward was happening I would have stepped to the table and asked the question.

[jno]

they were outside, not in the main dining room. When you choose to dine outside you are frequently invisible to staff. Whether this means they were visible to the public passing by, I don't know as I don't know this particular restaurant.

[ummmm]

Would I intervene. YES, without a doubt.

[emmie]

i would have. at least called the police.

[jno]

domestics are notoriously difficult to police; I can't see a prosection arising out of this unless she lodges a complaint. In her place I wouldn't, I'd consider the publicity vindication enough for myself and punishment for him.

It doesn't sound like a marriage made in heaven, but nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors.

[ummmm]

Also...you really don't know what's happening unless you're there and involved.

People misread situations.

[emmie]

i don't think the pictures lie, she is shown with his hands round her throat, not to mention the pictures of her in tears afterwards. Publicity stunt, heavens sake why would that be the case.

[emmie]

this wasn't behind closed doors, but in a very public place, a restaurant. all the photo's show a woman in considerable distress.

[nannybooby]

Think that I would stand up and in a very loud voice say My God look at that man manhandling that poor woman,

[ladybirder]

Yes I bet that would stop him in his tracks nannyb.
Philip Schoffield has just said that they couldn't afford to show the pictures of the alleged assault on This Morning as they were being sold for £5k a pop! Fruitful few minutes work for whoever took them!