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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iki salutes Kano 1000 says:
12 December, 2011 at 14:37
The demise of a former Prime Minister and the subsequent State Funeral will be marked at all public events.
One minute silence or one minute applause?
I vote for the latter.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How about a day off wi free beer?
Nothing less will suffice for me.
bigdanistheman says:
12 December, 2011 at 14:59
Maybe you can talk to them with regards the poem. Ask for help on here but I would remove any pro Rangers Pro unionist language in it. A genuine tip from me btw. Sorry if it is upsetting. Criticism can be that way.
I apologise unreservedly especially for sullying the memory of your mother in law.
I genuinely thought you were at the wind up. Hope you can see why.
again unreserved apologies and as a mark of respect to her.
I will bow my head in shame and leave the CQN board for the day.
Neil Lennon is substituting me as he doesn´t want me getting suspended.
Hail Hail
Big demand for Sundays game. St Johnstone, are now selling tickets to Celtic fans for game. ( not Televised )
phone 01738 455000.
vogue punter –
oopla !
3 ——5 —– 1 ——1
I think I’ll just go back to lurking! Blantyretim do u happen to know any tonnage from ur neck of the woods?
Awe aw that’s appreciated & I’ll take that advice on board
What have the banks paid back so far?
According to the NAO report, overall the banks have paid £9.1bn in fees for the government’s guarantees and indemnities that have peaked at nearly £1 trillion. The government has so far not had to pay out significantly on any of these liabilities.
RBS and Lloyds, which the government bought controlling stakes in, won’t pay back until they are re-privatised. Other banks have paid interest on loans:
• Of the £21.59bn outstanding loan to Northern Rock, the company paid £0.58bn in interest in the last financial year.
• Of the £8.55bn outstanding to Bradford and Bingley,the taxpayer received £0.38bn in interest last year.
• Of the £26.05bn loaned to other non nationalised failing institutions, it received £0.52bn back.
The National Audit Office has previously highlighted that this is a poor rate of interest on the loans, which is less than the government pays (around 4.2%) for the debts it has incurred in the bail-out.
And what are the losses from the stakes?
The figures, as of March 2011, are pretty bad. They show the initial cost so far for the bail-out of each bank, and what that “asset” is now worth in the table below [source: NAO]. It shows more than £12.59bn lost from the value of the banks that the country owns since they were bought.
Financial institutions may be approx £4bn in tax but how much should they be paying?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/feb/18/barclays-bank-113m-corporation-tax
http://www.fmwf.com/media-type/news/2011/02/banks-under-pressure-to-reveal-how-much-tax-they-pay-in-britain/
As has been pointed out above, if they continue with their measly contribution it will take about 12 years for them to pay back what we, the tax-payer, have contributed to their bail out.
bigdanistheman says:
12 December, 2011 at 15:07
Please keep posting your Celtic related and family related stuff. It will feel that my apology has been in vein if you go back now to lurking and you will come across as the biggest troll that CQN has had for a wee while especially after silencing his eminence Awe Naw for the day
The CQN board is now unfettered by me for your optimal use
Enjoy the rest of your day… and again SORRY!
HAil HAil
Awe Naw
I am rarely moved to post on an argument which doesn’t concern me. Never have in fact. However, I’ll make an ecxeption in this case.
Perhaps the content of the other fella’s post was not to your taste. Fair enough. The repeated responses however, rate as possibly the most malicious posts I’ve ever seen on here. Your subsequent justification was just as poor. The “apology” was clearly not one.
I haven’t seen much in your posts before to illustrate this side of your personality. Something like this though, will colour how all your subsequent posts are viewed unless you clear it up.
Very poor show indeed. I suggest you’re lucky it was only a yellow card.
Yogi
That should say tonners
BOURNESOUPRECIPE 1457
I bow to your superior knowledge,he may have the stats at his fingertipd,I doubt he has the club in his heart.
I would not be the first person on here to suggest that he is like no Celtic supporter I have ever met,nor are his opinions.
However,why don’t you try to arrange a wee meeting for a pint prior to a match in a friendly place?
Establish his credentials?
I wish you luck,as it has been tried repeatedly,but to no avail.
Like I said,he is like no Celtic supporter I have ever met.
RobertTressell: 12 December, 2011 at 14:36
Way too many of them abuse their powers and very few of them are ever punished for doing so. In my dealings with the police, I have to say they have never convinced me my views of them are wrong.
philvisreturns says:
12 December, 2011 at 14:59
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS for KANO’S GRAND DAY – I don’t think Mr Scargill had the best interests of his members at heart.
He was determined to go to war with the democratically elected government of the day, and he lost.
The entire episode was tragic, but would have been more tragic if Scargill had managed to defeat the government. (thumbsup)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
With respect,nothing could be more tragic than the aftermath.
Steinreignedsupreme says:
12 December, 2011 at 14:56
greenjedi: 12 December, 2011 at 14:18
I don’t think I called you a Hun … and it doesn’t bother me what team you support. Everyone is entitled to support the team they want to … even Huns.
There are certain things I would never tolerate from people representing Celtic. Having a racist or sectarian signing policy, players not trying, players deliberately attempting to get opponents sent-off, players deliberately attempting to inflict serious injuries on opponents, racism among our supporters, fans signing sectarian songs, our board wrongly trying to blame others for violence, or defending racist and sectarian chanting, our board deliberately trying to defraud the taxman.
A player having an argument with another player is just not worth fretting over. Such things happen on a football pitch every week. Had the Scottish media not made anything out of Hamill’s verbal spat with our captain – I’m sure you wouldn’t have even mentioned it on here today.
………….
Had the Scottish media not made anything out of Hamill’s verbal spat with our captain – I’m sure you wouldn’t have even mentioned it on here today
100% wrong I’m afraid. I’ve been on record since he became Captain that he is not up to the job and the events AFTER the game on Saturday proved it!
yogijunior3 says:
12 December, 2011 at 15:11
Are you a slow reader or is it still hanging in the air for you ?
HAil HAil
yogijunior3 says:
12 December, 2011 at 15:11
Awe Naw
I am rarely moved to post on an argument which doesn’t concern me. Never have in fact. However, I’ll make an ecxeption in this case.
Perhaps the content of the other fella’s post was not to your taste. Fair enough. The repeated responses however, rate as possibly the most malicious posts I’ve ever seen on here. Your subsequent justification was just as poor. The “apology” was clearly not one.
I haven’t seen much in your posts before to illustrate this side of your personality. Something like this though, will colour how all your subsequent posts are viewed unless you clear it up.
Very poor show indeed. I suggest you’re lucky it was only a yellow card.
Yogi
share
A think it’s been sorted out now but thanks for they words,
yogijunior3 says:
12 December, 2011 at 15:11
or should I say slow writer ?
Hail HAil
bigdanistheman says:
12 December, 2011 at 14:43
Completely agree with Paul67 on this one
greenjedi,
for some reason i like scott brown, still do, but despite that, I agree there have been times when I have questioned his actions/judgement, especially given his role as Celtic Captain.
However when it comes to dealing with wee sleekit conniving cowardly rats like hammill and others of his ilk (and there are plenty like him in the SPL) then I am all for Scott Brown taking on and facing them down every time!
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
England fans can buy tickets for the Euros now..England fan getting inteviewed on SSN,said he was garenteed tickets the whole way through..You got to hand it to them,they think they are goin to win it,look forward to sein Capello getting the ‘turnip head,treatment when they get beat..
rodow1 says:
12 December, 2011 at 15:23
bigdanistheman says:
12 December, 2011 at 14:43
Completely agree with Paul67 on this one
share
Agree with what
Awe Naw
Fair enough. My bad, as I took a call mid post.
I like to think that the tone on CQN is different, and better, from many other blogs. I’m glad that you agree and are committed to keeping it that way.
Cheers
Yogi
Rory Downey,
I never complained about my yellow card.
I apologised.
It seems to have been accepted
but you and yogijunior3 seem to be hell bent on raking over the coals ???
If its to teach me a lesson it seems to be low on content.
Hail Hail
Celtic fined €15k by UEFA
Mort
Big Nan says:
12 December, 2011 at 14:46
Blogger on this topic.
‘Hate Data’ destroyed as Salmond’s SNP fear Independent Scotland viewed as ‘Too Sectarian’ to join predominantly Catholic European Union
http://scottishlaw.blogspot.com/2011/12/hate-data-destroyed-as-salmonds-snp.html
Cracking post and i would urge everyone to read this and foward it to your local MSP, Mr Salmond is a rogue and i for one will never vote this party.
greenjedi: 12 December, 2011 at 15:17
“I’ve been on record since he became Captain that he is not up to the job and the events AFTER the game on Saturday proved it!”
That explains why you are not prepared to give Scott Brown the benefit of the doubt.
Kwolity man. Kwolity.
Dundee teenagers locked up for Facebook riot threats
Two teenagers who used Facebook to try to start a riot in a Scottish city have been sentenced to three years each.
Shawn Divin, 16, and Jordan McGinley, 18, were administrators of a Facebook page called “Riot in the toon” which urged people to “kill some daftys”.
The page was published during the summer’s unrest in England.
Divin, who was described as an inmate Polmont youth offenders institute, and McGinley, from Dundee, had earlier pleaded guilty to breaching the peace.
Sheriff Elizabeth Munro sentenced Divin to a total of four years and three months, which included one year for breaching a previous probation order and three months for breaching his bail by inciting riots.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard that the Facebook page encouraged others to smash up buildings, loot shops and attack police officers at the time of the riots which swept several English cities in August.
Police tip-off
A message on the site, written by Divin, who has convictions for assault and breach of the peace, stated: “Only join if yir actually gonna come – if anyone has guns bring them down to this – kill some daftys.”
Police later arrested the pair – who both claimed it had been done “as a joke”.
More than 200 people signed up to the event on the social networking site – with the page telling them to go to Dundee city centre between 19:00 and 22:00 on 17 August.
Fiscal depute Lisa Welsh told the court, police had been tipped off about the site by a journalist at a Glasgow-based radio station.
She said: “Police researched Facebook and found a public event posting titled ‘Riot in the toon’. The two accused were administrators of the page.
“Given the civil unrest around the country an inquiry team had been set up by Tayside Police in order to respond to such threats and the likelihood of rioting in Dundee.”
Other messages on Shawn Divin’s Facebook page included “Show the English how it’s really done” and “If it does happen are you up for takin a police guy oot the game?”, Ms Welsh, the prosecutor, said.
Divin and McGinley pleaded guilty to breaching the peace between 9 August and 11 August this year.
Jim Laverty, defending Divin, who had been released from court on bail just a day before the offence, said his client should not face a jail term as long as the two Englishmen who were given four-year terms for a similar offence.
Perry Sutcliffe-Keenan, 22, and Jordan Blackshaw, 21, were jailed for four years over a Facebook riot page – with appeals against their sentences rejected.
Paul Parker Smith, for McGinley – who has previous convictions for carrying knives and theft – said: “Mr McGinley at the time thought it was just a bit of fun.
“He was certainly not serious about there being a ‘riot in the toon’.”
Passing sentence, Sheriff Munro said: “I have thought long and hard about this case.
“A total of 221 people said they would attend the riot event in Dundee – and what made your actions particularly serious was that you both referred to weapons, and Mr McGinley you referred to guns.
“This is one of the worst breaches of the peace that I have ever had to deal with.”
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo says:
12 December, 2011 at 15:33
I am sorry if you have taken offence to my showing support toward someone who is hurting. I have been catching up so missed your apology, but felt that I should not let someone think they were being paranoid with their feelings.
White has seen it ,he cant wait to say it
Hope UEFA actually explain what the fine is for and not just say “illicit chanting”.
Mort
rodow1
I accept your apology.
Hail Hail
Celtic have been hit with a 15,000 euros (£12,720) fine by UEFA after it was ruled that a section of their support had engaged in “illicit chanting”.
The Parkhead club were informed last month that they faced disciplinary action over the behaviour of some fans during their Europa League group stage match against Rennes on November 3.
UEFA’s control and disciplinary body met on Friday to consider the matter but did not announce their verdict until Monday due to the volume of cases they handled.
Celtic have not yet commented on the ruling but expressed their surprise at being investigated when the hearing was announced last month.
A club spokesman said on November 14: “Celtic supporters have a magnificent record of positive support for their team, something recognised by both UEFA and FIFA in recent years and we are extremely proud of this reputation.
“Therefore, the club will co-operate fully with any UEFA investigation”
A wee thought on the current turmoil in the Eurozone. I have yet to hear anyone, even from his own party, give credit to the man whodid more than aanbody else to keep Britain out of the Eurozone. Who was he ? Gordon Brown.
Mort,hope there is no ‘add ons’..
Good evening from Bangalore my new home. One month here and no football talk. Lots of politics. Lots of cricket. But you know what? They keep the two subjects seperate and maintain a seperate passion for both.
Not posted for a month because of move but despair at the ‘same old same old mix’ of politics and football in Scotland. Here in Bangalore cricket is a release, a joy, a freedom from the corruption, poverty and prejudice society which, trust me, is more dire in India than in Scotland.
The search for a cause, a nation which has become a rebel without a cause, has led to this underwhelming situation. SNP are small minded and now they have power they dont know what to do with it. They want to be hero’s but like our football they cant pitch techinally at a high level so they employ the ‘high ball’ approach to politics hoping to sneak a popular cause goal. As we know most high ball tactics end up lumped back up park.
But what I despair at is Celtic fans taking this SNP pash seriously and looking deeper and deeper into politics. We play Udinese this week. That should be all the focus and talk on a Celtic football site. Like India sport should be about joy and brightening the mood.
Dont understand cricket and dont understand this article in a European week. Hail Hail from India the unfortunate land of one Celtic top (mine) :-)
PL + Eddie Smith just seen high fiving each other in the CP car park :)
Hail Hail, Alright Lhads,
Altho i have never voted as i was aye dodging the polltax, I am a Nationalist. I was happy with the SNP winning the election as I want Scotland to be free, but I’m afraid they’ve blown it with this proposed Bill. Surely Salmond must realise the impact it will have on future elections. I think Salmond is head and shoulders above any other politician in Holyrood, but he’s making a stick for his own back with this Bill, really idiotic. He should be doing all he can to embrace Catholics to the fold, and putting the squeeze on the huns! (after all, they are the advocates of Rule Brittannia and being born under a Un*on JacK) I used to harang a couple o staunch labour party UNIONIST mates for shouting abuse at Hearts supporters at half time, when the mini Huns wid unfurl a “butchers apron” and show it to us. Even now we still have arguments when i’m back hame about this. Dunno if he still is, but Salmond was over here for a week or so daein some chinwagging wi the heid honchos. Word is there’s gonna be a direct air service between Scotland and China. Yeash! That’ll save aboot 2 hunner pounds on return flights.
By the way i lurk quite a bit when I can, but don’t post very often coz i am a bit of a lazy oliver (surname of former german goalkeeper), but i am not a hun.
I’ve being putting the boot into the huns/england/anglo saxons at schools here for the past 7 years. It was great when we had Naka as eventhough he was Japanese, he still was an Asian dude who people could relate to. Wear the hoops tops in classes all the time as do a few other mates here. Tried to set up the Beijing CSC here a year ago, but Paddys couldn’t get Channel 67 to work. Gutted.
Gotta say that i think there are some on here (hmm i’d take a guess at Ernie Lynch) who are delighted that the SNP are making a total balls of this, with this stupid, wrong, ridiculous Bill, as they don’t want them to succeed anyway.
Salmonds problem is that although he wants independence, he still wants to keep the Union of the Crowns! I used to think this was just to keep the huns onside. Now i am not sure. Maybe those two pandas would do a better job in Holyrood.
A Republic of Scotland. Now that wid be a dream!
GOGetBabaDiawaraCSC