Judgement of Liam Neeson over controversial comments was ‘embarrassingly quick’, says renowned producer

A renowned film producer has hit out at the recent criticism of Irish actor Liam Neeson, labelling the judgement ‘embarrassing’ and rushed.

Neeson was heavily criticised in recent months for comments he made in an interview where he

admitted that he harboured violent thoughts about killing a black person after someone close to him was raped.

The actor later insisted he was “not racist” and claimed he would have had the same reaction regardless of the man’s race.

Renowned film producer, Lord David Puttnam, who is currently living in West Cork, recently defended Neeson, saying that that judgement passed on the actor after his controversial interview was rushed and embarrassing.

Speaking on the latest episode of the University College Cork (UCC) podcast, Plain Speaking, Lord Puttnam said:

“He's a good man, decent man.

“There's no bad in Liam,” he added.

“Did he lose his temper? Possibly.

“Has he lived a very privileged lifestyle for quite a long time? Does that put you into a slight bubble? Maybe, but this is not a bad man.

“The idea that suddenly Liam Neeson has turned out to be someone different from the person we thought he was or someone less empathetic than the person we thought he was, is stupid.

“Liam was a boxer. He does know how to handle himself. He comes from a pretty tough background, but is he a decent man? Absolutely.

“Have we been quick to rush to judgment? Totally and embarrassingly I think.”