I have to say the day I was lucky enough to meet Douglas Barder he was an absolute gentleman, and kindness itself. Yes I know he had a reputation, but he was very detrmined and never gave in. Such detrmination can be read as arrogance. Yes, I am defending him, when I met him , life for me was not good. He gave me good advice, 'You know when what you do is good. Never let anyone tell you it isn't.