The SNPs parliamentary majority and comfortable lead in opinion polls makes it likely they will pass their Offensive Behaviour at Football Bill this week, once and for all removing government and police responsibility to produce separate reports on sectarian crime. Instead, a range of offenses, some new, some old, will be lumped together, including a myriad of profanities.
Alex Salmond’s government has been reluctant to provide a breakdown on sectarian crime despite being asked to produce them since 2007 and has presided over the destruction of all but last year’s data. Even the release of this data required research and analysis to divine the nature of the crime.
They have also refused to re-collect data from police records, demonstrating shocking arrogance on a subject they have invested enormous amounts of resource elsewhere on. Your last window on sectarian crime under this government, acute though it is, is about to be bricked in.
The Government have also politicised the police in a manner reminiscent of Margaret Thatcher’s government during the miner’s strike. An Anti-Sectarian Crime unit appeared on the ground, without any reference to churches and community groups most affected by sectarian crime. After the Nottinghill Carnival riots of the 1970s the Metropolitan Police learned painful lessons about how necessary it was to involve community groups and leaders in any action which can be perceived to be focused on any specific section of society.
The leadership of Strathclyde Police, which looks likely to benefit from Scottish Government changes to stage a takeover of the entire Scottish police operation, appears to be, quite literally, 35 years behind their London counterparts, who long ago learned that community engagement comes first.
In the light of how they have served each other’s interests with little regard to the public, this cosy relationship of non-consulting and ambitious number of police officers from Glasgow and Holyrood politicians must be prevented from harvesting control of a combined Scottish force – the biggest prize up for grabs in policing in decades.
The proposed Bill has received almost no support from the football community and faith groups. Repealing it and de-politicising ambitious police officers will surely be one of the key promises of Salmond’s political opponents at the next Scottish Parliament elections, who will at least be able to find a popular rallying call.
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The Battered Bunnet says:
12 December, 2011 at 12:47
The Criminal History System, managed by the Scottish Police Services Authority, gives all of the information one could ever hope for to anyone authorised to access it. It is so detailed as to be literally forensic.
This nonsense that the Section 74 conviction records pre 2010 have been ‘lost’ is simply untrue.
It’s all there.
If it’s all there then why has no one got it or requested it?
bournesouprecipe says:
12 December, 2011 at 12:32
Good post. Agree with you on Cha… he is an athlete, where too many Celtic players in the past have not been. He clearly prepares properly, because as well as being quick, (ok very quick…) he is in very good shape physically – this can only come from a very diligent training regime. Additionally, he keeps trying – constantly running back to make tackles etc. Agree- a limited footballer, but this is the SPL we are talking about! We have to be able to use a guy with that sort of speed somewhere in our squad – his ability to overlap, and go beyond the midfield, sometimes means he is the furthest Celt forward on the pitch. then, 10 seconsds later, he is back down near our corner flag. He gets dogs abuse on here, but for too long, we had sand dancers, midgets, and converted midfielders in the fullback slots. Now we have someone with a bit of physicality and an engine to match.
The Legend Johnny Doyle says:
12 December, 2011 at 12:42
Read it a few minutes ago.
I fear Phil is becoming tiresome.
A journalist is supposed to report news, give objective, considered analysis.
A journalist should not create the news.
Leave that up to Radio Clyde.
Afternoon from the chilly Chilterns- Good weekend for the area as Luke Donald wins No 1 Golfer & makes history by winning both the Euro and American Golf money League – and one of the sensational mini mixes was from the town.
Mind you my highlight of the weekend was a wee piece of skill from the Kenyan Lion, superb.
A mention for big Fraser Foster great save and Broonie who seems to be as hacked aff with the cheating as I am.
Hail! Hail!
I can see why Phil Mac’s latest article could be open to misinterpretation, (and will be by Celtic Fans) even if I don’t agree, I completely understand his point.
Peter Lawell’s statement at the Celtic AGM was made to show the club had, and were doing everything they could to eradicate political add ons (and I repeat, that’s all they are) this was satisfactory, and ratified by the SFA.
I expect UEFA to follow suit, and await the blanket media coverage, one way or the other.
If they impose no adverse decision the headlines will be “Celtic in great Escape” if it’s otherwise, there will be mayhem.
So is Phil saying that because the board didn’t say in their statement to fans what the chants were that we are being investigated for that means they actually want to be found guilty?
That is a bit of a jump is it not?
I imagine there could be very many reasons why the specific songs were not named. Also if the board believe the charge is trumped up for political reasons, which they do, why would you ask your fans not to sing something you believe they have a right to?
I fear Phil is clutching at straws here
Henrick
Many people have submitted FOI requests for the data in question, but it has been repeatedly denied.
You’ll need to ask your MSP to pursue the answer to the question ‘Why?’
philvisreturns @ 12:41
”I’ve still to hear of a credible alternative to what Cameron did. (thumbsup)”
Couple of suggestions.
EU Budget – He could always have done what M Thatcher done – I will use my veto unless my perfectly reasonable request for a rebate on the vast funds we are paying in to the EU are enacted.
Maastricht – He could always have done what John Major done – I will use my veto unless my perfectly reasonable request for an opt-out clause on joining the Euro is enacted.
Hail! Hail!
Lurgan
It’s not even the first time he’s said it. It’s a living for the guy so I don’t like to criticise too heavily but it does read as a ‘look at me’ article.
Hen1rik even…
philvisreturns: 12 December, 2011 at 12:48
“Were the police politicised during the miners’ strike?”
The fact you have to ask that question suggests you are either too young to remember the Miner’s Strike or you are totally detached from the real world.
Hopefully, it’s the former.
Paul
Please reprint this at the next election. Celtic supporters, at least those who can be bothered to get off their arse and vote, need to be reminded that the SNP are no friends of Celtic or the community many of our support are drawn from.
I hope my Church realise this and stop copying up to them.
jungle1967 – Re: Grunwick.
Thank Ghod times have changed since those days.
I’m sure some trade union diehards still hark back to the 70’s, but even they, in their heart of hearts, must know we are much better off without all the drama. (thumbsup)
oglach UFB
It used to be every new poster was accused of being one. in a tongue in cheek way.
Seriously do think there are FOCUS officers and/or SNP activists posting on here to muddy the waters.
The establishment do not like our Paul67…
How could Celtic comment? It was a charge, not a conviction. If it was for Ooh ahh up the ra and for any reason under the sun the charge was dropped or not proven or anything less than a censure then it would be seen by supporters as carte blanche to belt it out. It’s not even a particularly clever article, but plenty of my posts are not clever, or witty, or even spelt rite.
ASonOfDan says:
12 December, 2011 at 12:53
I think a couple of people need to sign out and go for a walk. Fresh air will do them good…
share
I know 1 person that really should
bigdanistheman says:
12 December, 2011 at 13:12
What kind of “walk” should he go for ?
Hail Hail
Re Scott Brown
I’m a big critic but I thought he played well in the second half. He was stupid after the final whistle and it was him to initiated the incident from where I sit in the main stand.
I am more critical of Neil Lennon for taking off Kayal for Ki. We ended up with a midfield of Brown, Ki, Forrest and Samaras which is not strong enough. We will pay for this if he continues to persist with a ‘soft’ midfield.
By all means bring on Ki but if so hook Forrest or Samaras. You probably know who my candidate would be.
Evening Times desperate for a negative story about Celtic…
GLENN LOOVENS, Joe Ledley, Adam Matthews and Kris Commons have all been ruled out of Thursday’s must-win Europa League game against Udinese.
And, as Neil Lennon tries to patch together a side good enough to get the victory they need to progress, his job is made all the more difficult because Thomas Rogne and Badr El Kadourri are ineligible.
BlantyreKev – if his assertion is correct that the board want a stick to beat the fans with then his whole article falls down. The board have that stick already. If they were so keen to drive this stuff out they could use the charge to start it. Why wait till the conviction?
They could easily say “we will fight this but…” “good name dragged through the mud” “no place at Celtic Park for this” “it all must stop”. If we are convicted they could say told you so, if not they can say “we were lucky but may not be so lucky next time”. Win – Win situation as far as they are concerned.
His argument doesn’t stand up to the test of logic, at least my brand of logic anyways.
I see Robert Noyce would have been 1010100 today.
Lads if this new bill goes ahead then we are doomed they will even it up so salmond and co can say the new bill is working.
It’s obvious if salmond didn’t post his findings and the data is deleted then my conclusion is, it shows Huns/protestants in a very bad light.
Instead of talking about this b4 it’s to late there’s got to be something we can do.
Chairbhoy – EU Budget – He could always have done what M Thatcher done – I will use my veto unless my perfectly reasonable request for a rebate on the vast funds we are paying in to the EU are enacted.
Maastricht – He could always have done what John Major done – I will use my veto unless my perfectly reasonable request for an opt-out clause on joining the Euro is enacted.
And this is what seems to have happened.
Cameron isn’t a natural Eurosceptic. He turned up in Brussels prepared to do a deal, with the modest proviso that the City – on which so much British tax revenue, investment, and jobs depends – not be the sacrificial lamb for a deal to save the Euro.
The French in particular, keen to blame the predictable failings of their European folly on Anglo-Saxon capitalism, weren’t interested in doing business.
You can imagine the lip-curling, sneering Gallic outrage if somebody had suggested that we abolish the Common Agricultural Policy that robs the European taxpayer to fatten French farmers, but of course, our continental chums are always much happier to propose that we pay the price of their mistakes. Naturellement!
So Cameron did the least that could be expected of him.
In any event, all the nonsense and hunguffry that has been thrown about over the weekend obscures one simple fact – even if David Cameron had caved in and did everything that was demanded of him by people who don’t have our national interests at heart, it wouldn’t have made a blind bit of difference to the fate of the Euro.
The Euro is toast. It’s all over bar the shouting.
The EU’s “Goodbye Lenin!” moment is approaching.
It can’t come fast enough. (thumbsup)
Steinreignedsupreme – I was just a kid during the miners’ strike, so was more interested in watching Saturday morning cartoons (and Saturday morning wrestling starring Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks) than politics in those days.
Howevah…
We should be eternally grateful Arthur Scargill didn’t win. (thumbsup)
ASonOfDan says:
12 December, 2011 at 13:17
“Evening Times desperate for a negative story about Celtic…”
Makes a wee change from them providing free public relations for the Huns.
A son of dan
I think our task is easier if ‘worser’ el kadouri is ruled out.
It easy to see why he only played eighty or so games over 10 years for his last team.
Awe Naw
I certainly don’t want the role of mediator, and I don’t want to start argueing with you, I tried that once in the past and it was a waste of my valuable time, however I do think that you shouold offer an apology and go forward with Christams spirit in your heart and a love of Celtic and all who follow.
Kittoch says:
12 December, 2011 at 13:24
You should learn how to spell first before you pretend to be an adult.
Hail Hail
p.s A merry Christmas to you
Steinreignedsupreme
It is why the rangers news is now monthly, Evening Times fills the gap on a daily basis… :)
ASonOfDan says:
12 December, 2011 at 13:17
You can always rely on the Evening Times to roll out a negative Celtic article ahead of a big game, or any game for that matter.
I no longer buy any of the rags.
Seeing as our injured players take an eternity to get fit, i would go with the following for Thursday night:
Forster
Cha K. Wilson Majstorovic Mulgrew
Brown Ki Kayal Wanyama Forrest
Samaras
I would rest both Stokes and Hooper for a much bigger game on Sunday.
philvis @ 13.23 – I will break my own rule and talk about politics but I have to agree with you. All these Euro summits are completely and utterly pointless. They are akin to giving a terminal cancer patient a lung transplant. The Euro is dead, the sooner this accepted and the transition began the quicker some stability can be brought to ALL western economies.
So I actually wasn’t bothered about what Cameron did as in the long run either course of action will have minimal impact IMO.
Of course the economic and political vacuum left behind by the failing of a cross border continental currency will be mana from heaven for the Illuminati boys :)
The SNP are now behaving as the old Ulster Unionist Party and the DUP still do. They will force through legislation because they have the power to do so. Reason and political sense do not enter into it, unless the political sense is to cast themselves as a “Protestant Parliament for a Protestant People.” Where do you think all those “wearrapeeple” chants came from? If you really want an independant Scotland, and not somewhere the “nations” favourite football supporters sing God Save the Queen and Rule Brittania then someone somewhere has to set up the equivilant of Sinn Fein, and pronounce a Republic, and work towards it. In my own view a federal Republic offers the best choice. Republican doe not mean Socialist/Communist by the way. A Federal system balances a lot of things out. How, for instance, can the USA contain Texas and California? Alaska and Vermont? Totally different lifestyles and viewpoints contained in one country. Fairer sports systems too, from looking at baseball and American football results and champions. Can we have some of their referees please?
Ah well, another waste of time.
Anyway at least I tried.
Forever young.
Merry Christmas to you too.
philvisreturns
Any idea what impact a toasted Euro will have on the UK economy?
Particularly when 4 of Britains top 5 trading partners are all Euro countries Germany, France, Holland and Ireland.
Afternoon all.
Just caught the footage of this weekends game against Hearts. Great goal from Wanyama!!!
Looked a scrappy match but another 3 vital points which is the main thing at the moment.
Udinese next and you just never know but I think they will be looking to get this game put to bed early doors so we may face an bit of an onslaught in the first 20 mins or so. Keeping them out will be tough but we are Celtic and if ever we do it then it seems to be to do it the hard way!
Googybhoy, planning on being in O’Sheas this Sunday to watch the game so holler if you fancy a pre Christmas pint.
Hail Hail
Euan ‘spot kick’ Norris will take charge of his first Celtic game of the season when Neil Lennon’s side visit St Johnstone on Sunday.
In four games in charge of Rangers matches over the last 18 months Norris has awarded the Ibrox club five penalties including two away to Inverness Caley Thistle earlier this term.
The last Celtic match that Norris handled was the 2-0 defeat away to Motherwell in February. In January he took charge of the Celtic v Hearts game in which Jim Jefferies was advised to substitute Rudi Skacel at the interval.
Bobby Madden, who called off Saturday’s Dunfermline v Kilmarnock match 90 minutes before kick off, will be in charge of the Rangers v Inverness Caley Thistle match.
philvisreturns says:
12 December, 2011 at 13:23
All this EU stuff reminds me of the International Socialists’ slogan at the time of the original referendum
No To The Bosses’ Europe.
Speculation at the time that the slogan was the work of John Palmer, then the European editor of the Guardian and now an acknowledged as a well respected expert on all matters to do with the EU, was never confirmed.
Whoever coined the slogan, it hit the nail squarely on the head.
The Battered Bunnet says:
12 December, 2011 at 12:47
The Criminal History System, managed by the Scottish Police Services Authority, gives all of the information one could ever hope for to anyone authorised to access it. It is so detailed as to be literally forensic.
This nonsense that the Section 74 conviction records pre 2010 have been ‘lost’ is simply untrue.
It’s all there.
share
I did m8 I’m sure he said salmond shouldn’t have said that because data is deleted either every year or 2 years
Rumours down here are that Leeds will try and sign Darren O’Dea on permanent deal in January. All the more surprising as he isn’t starting at the moment.