The Daily Record won credit for scooping the off-field story of the week, multiple investigations into singing by Celtic fans, but others are beginning to ask who gave the newspaper details of a police investigation.
The stories broke in an unusual manner, with SFA referee and policeman, Eddie Smith, named as the person who reported Celtic fans to Uefa and the SPL. The officer made what looks like an inexplicable decision after some confrontations inside Celtic Park, without mentioning a word of his concerns to the Celtic security people during the game – the normal procedure for such incidents.
Smith, who has Celtic supporting credentials, was named, providing the perfect foil to deflect accusations that this was some sort of Masonic conspiracy, which it was not. The entire episode is a classic internecine dispute among Celtic supporters, but with the comments made to Uefa, the story was parcelled up for the Record by a Strathclyde Police spokesman.
The Daily Record reported, “A spokesman for Strathclyde Police said: “For Eddie [Smith] to speak to the delegate after the match is nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, it is standard practice””. This is completely irrelevant.
Celtic’s retort in the same article got to the heart of the issue – why the police are speaking to Uefa and the media but not speaking to the club: “This is quite unprecedented as no issues were raised to the club during the match and the police didn’t inform us directly about their concerns.”
Control over media communications from Strathclyde Police falls to Director of Communications, Rob Shorthouse, (pictured on the left). Shorthouse, whose own favourite team have taken a reputational battering from Uefa in recent seasons, despite silence from the police, should be concerned that the force have given newspapers material for three days of screaming headlines instead of addressing the key concern about departure from established procedure. This has only inflamed a volatile situation between Celtic fans and officers on the ground. Shorthouse, who held a similar position at the SFA until two years ago, will be familiar with the sensitivities of football issues.
Perhaps a Freedom of Information request will reveal who leaked a story that laid out details which reflected so badly on Celtic. All we want is equal treatment, as a former chairman once commented.
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iki @ 16:55
This might help;
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/apr/11/domestic-extremist-police-databases
JohnnyClash – Philvis, are you Rob?
I don’t think I am.
But I’m not ruling out some sort of Tyler Durden scenario here. (thumbsup)
Forgot to say well done with this story Paul.
There is more to come I know.
bournesouprecipe says:
16 November, 2011 at 16:55 Salve salve;- lol If you were a member of the green brigade, you would probably hit Edie Smith in the eye.
Greenwells
Conlige suspectos semper habitos.
Mr Clash
Are you seriously trying to infer that our esteemed poster Mr Returns might take up a moniker which would imply him living in a ‘short’ house?
Nay!
Way!
U
hamiltontim says:
16 November, 2011 at 17:03
It was clear when the Rangers reserve keeper was arrested the order was go and get one of them.
It didn’t matter who they got anyone would do and a young Bhoy has spent time in a YO’s. Not a pleasant place to be.
As I have said earlier we all need to be smart about this. Don’t put ourselves an a position where they can arrest you.
It’s that simple!
LB
truth. Bigots? I have to say that you are qualified to speak of such vermin given your allegiances. We sing about Celtic and no matter what you think we don’t do bigotry. Politics as well. Your lot? Hatred and especially bigotry. always. HH.
hamiltontim says:
16 November, 2011 at 17:03
Perhaps we should paint a green four leave clover on our foreheads, so that we can be easily indentified for this special treatment.
After the bombs, bullets and death threats of last year, I didn’t think it could get worse, but this year is shaping up to be a cracker.
As I said to a few bhoys last night. If we do nothing, nothing will change.
Scary and equally defining times
HH
CRC
Che says 16 November, 2011 at 16:50 voguepunter says 16 November, 2011 at 16:1 To be fair CT does speak very highly of you said your a big dashing handsome individual, always willing to spend a few quid at the bar and as horse tipsters go, you are unsurpassed
You’re getting VP mixed up with Gordon 64 mate :>
Leave=leaf.
Doh!
Shortarses’ position must be untenable.
The time is not for knee jerk reactions but reflection and careful strategy at where the Celtic support as a group go from here.
The battle lines have been drawn and if we fight fire with fire there will only be one winner.
This is very interesting and scary times. There is an agenda here. Do NOT give the police a chance to arrest anymore of our Bhoys.
LB
I fear the worst for the away fans up at Caley Thistle,,,,hope im wrong but the Police will be desperate for any excuse to lift our fans,,,just hope we use the head and dont make it easy for them!!
Hail hail
Shorthouse is a member of “The Rangers Business Club” on linkedin. He could have been impartial and joined others, but didn’t. How silly can I guy who works in communications be?
Just heard on radio Ulster,A 31yr old man,arrested for the murder of Joe o’Neill in Belfast last month..
I wonder what Shorthouse’s username on Follow Follow is? (thumbsup)
Coorslad was this the same bloke who walked into the police station on the Sunday of the murder?
V
HH
Philvisreturns you don’t know?
V
Do Celtic have a Chairman these days?
Philvisreturns, information request……..
Can I have a copy of the source code insertion program, you uploaded onto the cqn server? you know the one that beeps you when Paul’s about to upload his NEW ARTICLE.
Just asking, I can put it to good use.
Thanks in advance.
:¬)
V
HH
Is Rob Shorthouse running Press for Sepp Blatter?
Well played P67
Vmhan – you need high-tech equipment, like this:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/images/episode/b00n5b92_512_288.jpg (thumbsup)
When Shortarse gets bagged,given his CV, a job at Shortbread beckons…..
Vmhan
Don’t go there!
His software is evil and it will own your soul before the sun goes down.
Crikey, now I’m beginning to sound like philvis!
Thankfully there is so many great Celtic fans on here doing their bit and highlighting was is wrong about this Country.
When is Dermot Desmond, Ian Bankier & Peter Lawwell going to do something.
Luis Suarez charged by FA
Rob Shorthouse
Director Of Communications at Strathclyde Police
United Kingdom Public Relations and Communications
Current
Trustee at Stirling University Students’ Union
Director Of Communications at Strathclyde Police
Past
Head of Communications at Scottish Football Association
Head of Media & Public Relations at Glasgow 2014
Senior Communications Officer at The First Minister of Scotland
A first class communicator that has worked in some of the most high profile comms roles in Scotland. Currently a Director of one of the largest public sector organisations in the country.
Specialties
Strategy, Strategic Communications, Public Affairs, Media Relations, Brand Development, Campaigns, Marketing, Online Communications, Speech Writing.
Rob Shorthouse’s Experience
Trustee
Stirling University Students’ Union
June 2010 – Present (1 year 6 months) Stirling
One of the external trustees on the board of the Students’ Union – with specific interest in Marketing and Communications.
Director Of Communications
Strathclyde Police
October 2009 – Present (2 years 2 months)
As Director of Communications, I am in charge of all of all of aspects of our communications – to stakeholders, members of the public and the media. This includes public relations, media relations, marketing, advertising, publications, websites and other e-communications, design and print. As a member of the Force Executive I am part of the group that sets policy and strategy for the largest Police Force in the country, with over 8000 Officers and 2500 staff. I have a departmental budget of over £1.5m. I am the strategic lead for communicating our efforts to reorganise our organisation to meet the public sector budget crisis and have recently completed a rebranding exercise for the Force.
I have recently devised – and am in the process of implementing – a digital communication strategy for the Force that will deliver local crime and community information using social media.
I am the Chair of the Strathclyde Emergencies Public Communications Group – meaning that should any major incident occur in the Strathclyde Area I would be responsible for all public communications strategies and messaging.
Head of Communications
Scottish Football Association
Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Sports industry
December 2007 – October 2009 (1 year 11 months)
* A member of the Senior Management Team, I was in charge of all of the Association’s communications – to stakeholders, members of the public and the media. I also oversaw the Association’s online presence – leading a major project to introduce more e-communications and a vastly improved online presence. I also oversaw the planning of all media accreditation for Scotland matches.
Head of Media & Public Relations
Glasgow 2014
Nonprofit; 51-200 employees; Sports industry
January 2006 – December 2007 (2 years)
Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Bid Team
* Responsible for devising and implementing all message and communications strategies for Glasgow’s Bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, – including writing the final 30 minute presentation ahead of the vote. I was a member of the Senior Management Team and oversaw the ‘Back Scotland’s Bid’ campaign, which resulted in almost 2 million messages of support pledged on our website. I was responsible for all media relations at home and around the Commonwealth as well as our e-communications strategy and the production of our audio visual materials. I travelled extensively across the Commonwealth, giving presentations on our Bid to member countries.
Senior Communications Officer
The First Minister of Scotland
September 2001 – January 2006 (4 years 5 months)
* Working closely with senior policy officials and special advisors, I was responsible for the day to day running of the team charged with delivering presentational advice to the then First Minister of Scotland. I was part of the events team that arranged all of the First Minister’s public appearances, ensuring that they always reflected his policy objectives and that of his government. I was also a member of the ‘lobby briefing’ team that provided twice daily briefings to Scotland’s political journalists.
Press Officer
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
June 2005 – August 2005 (3 months)
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
* As part of an annual civil service wide scheme, I won a place in the Press Office of the Prime Minister at Number 10 Downing Street. Again, I worked on both the events and lobby briefing teams – as well as drafting news releases and articles in the Prime Minister’s name.
Rob Shorthouse’s Skills
Strategy Development Internal Communications Government Liaison
Rob Shorthouse’s Education
The University of Stirling
BA (Hons), Film and Media Studies; Politics
1993 – 1998
Second Class, Upper Division)
The University of Stirling
Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Film Studies with Politics
1993 – 1998
Rob Shorthouse’s Additional Information
Groups and Associations:
Public Relations and Communications Professionals
Rangers Business Club
ibleed
that’s my thoughts
i can’t shift this uneasy sense that this has been planned – and well planned (if well can be used in this context)
the choice of a european game, the week of remembrance Sunday, the next game away at a bogie team with a grinning, smug manager with ‘lots’ of baggage in regards to our team.
ally this to the ongoing shameful consumerist lovefest of British soldiers at war in far off climes and, well… I see a bucketload of arrests in the coming weeks in the lead up to a derby.
i fear for our support as a whole and doubly so for the guys who travel far and wide to ‘give the bhoys a cheer’
it was always going to become a stick to beat us with. it was just a matter of when.
and to think it gained momentum when Rangers players went cuckoo at Celtic Park last season and most escaped unblemished and it has ended (For me anyway) with a Hearts supporter setting about Neil Lennon in a manner which could only ever be construed as sectarian and said supporter getting away with it.
sad, strange but ultimately dangerous days ahead.
u
Serge- I think PL will take a backseat here.
Vhman,dont know if its the same man,this man was just arrested today..
Philvis,
Thats awesome pal, I’ve managed to procure an Acorn Electron at a very reasonable price and to make it go even faster I’ve WD40’d it, you want to see this thing churning out the bytes.
Drop the source code insertion prog into my electronic postal box, thanks.
Payment through the usual method.
V
HH
Coorslad thanks, no doubt Derryghirls family will be on to her.
Did the horse come in? I never put it on.
V
HH
Not yet,think they are still looking for it..wasnt even placed..
Fantastic work Paul.
Are any of official Celtic people like DD, PL or any directors doing, or planning to do anything to protect our club by using this evidence to highlight the corruption at the very core and at the highest heights in Scottish football?
EC67
Vmhan♣ who Supports Neil Lennon..A 34 year old man previously charged with GBH in connection with the assualt according to BBC norn ireland text ..HH
Bada Bing
1 of the three has to speak, it would disappoint me if they did not.
Vmhan♣ who Supports Neil Lennon says:
16 November, 2011 at 17:29
Understood one was already in the nick, must be other other reprebate?
Ill try Belfast see what story is.