In this fourth article we look at the opinions of politicians on the link between Celtic F.C. and Celtic Boys Club. Very few have spoken, least of all the cowardly snivelling Justice Minister Humza Yousaf. Shame on him.
The comments of Professor of Law Adam Tomkins MSP can be found in article 3.
James Dornan SNP MSP 16th May 2019 on Twitter
"I'm horrified by it. When did supporting any team become more important than the safety and well-being of our children"
James Dornan SNP MSP 16th May 2019 on Twitter (replying to a member of the Kerrydale Kiddyfiddling Klan who parroted the "separate entity" nonsense)
"I was there every week for about four years watching my son play for both the boys club and Celtic. Don’t play this game. I always thought Celtic stood up for victims, it appears some of their fans really don’t seem to care. You should be ashamed"
James Dornan SNP MSP BBC.co.uk 30th May 2019
Mr Dornan said that describing Celtic FC and Celtic Boys Club as separate entities was "in no way accurate" and wrote that the relationships between Boys Club coaches and high-ranking Celtic officials "was clear for all to see".
Mr Dornan also urged Celtic to “take responsibility, not blame” and “apologise for what happened to these deeply damaged young men”. He added "we see no sign of a caring club in the way the aftermath of the scandal of the, apparently endemic, sexual abuse over the last four decades at Celtic Boys Club has been handled. I hear the constant refrain that Celtic FC and Celtic Boys Club have always been separate entities, and that description may legally be correct, but as a father of a boy that played for both these institutions, it is in no way accurate in describing the actual relationship between the two……..Celtic have without doubt a morale responsibility to compensate for what happened under their watching eye. After seeing the latest in a far too long line of Celtic Boys Club coaches being found guilty of the foulest abuses you continue to abrogate your responsibilities as you have to date on this issue then, in my view, you bring nothing but shame to the reputation of Celtic…... urge you to do the right thing for the victims and their families."
James Dornan MSP The Times May 31 2019
“I hear the constant refrain that Celtic FC and CBC have always been separate entities, and that description may legally be correct, but, as a father of a boy who played for both, it is no way accurate in describing the actual relationship between [them]. Boys were sold the idea of playing for the boys club as having a foot into Celtic FC. This case supports the notion that they (Celtic F.C.) are liable."
Ruth Davidson 18th July 2019
"It is vital that we in Parliament play our part in holding the SFA and other bodies to account on this. Through a series of criminal trials, we now know something of the scale of the abuse committed by a number of the men associated with Celtic Boys’ Club. What we do not know is what Celtic FC knew about these offences and when they knew it. These questions must now be independently and fully investigated. Please be assured the Scottish Conservatives will closely monitor developments on this matter over the coming weeks and months."
James Kelly, Scottish Labour Football Spokesman 18th July 2019
"It would clearly be in the best interests of all . . . for Celtic Football Club to commit to a further public inquiry which is open and transparent. I have raised these issues directly with Celtic FC on behalf of constituents.”
Pauline McNeill, a Glasgow Labour MSP 18th July 2019
“Celtic FC should in some way contribute to any reparations made to those affected by historic abuse at CBC.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat spokeswoman 18th July 2019
“We are in favour of an inquiry.”
COMING NEXT – THE OPINIONS OF CELTIC OFFICIALS AND PUBLICATIONS ON THE LINK BETWEEN CELTIC F.C. AND CELTIC BOYS CLUB