Celtic Football club has hit back at MSP James Dornan over a letter penned to Chief Executive Peter Lawwell about the the handling of the Celtic Boys’ Club child sex abuse scandal.
The scathing verdict was tweeted by the MSP and life-long Celtic fan today after the Hoops chief failed to respond to a letter he wrote saying Celtic FC should take responsibility and pay compensation to victims.
It comes as the club faces mounting pressure over its stance that it has always been separate from the boys’ club.
SNP MSP Dornan published the full text of the letter he wrote on May 16 on his Twitter account.
He wrote: "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 and the wider Celtic family.”
Dornan’s letter went on: "I remember being brought up to believe that Celtic stood for something more than just football......I’m sure I’m not alone in wondering whatever happened to that Celtic FC...
“Boys were sold the idea of playing for the boys’ club as having a foot into Celtic FC....
“The relationship between the coaches, including Messrs Torbett and Cairney and high-ranking Celtic officials was clear for all to see.”
The letter went on: “I accept that there may be some legal distance between the two but given what I and many others have seen Celtic have without doubt a moral responsibility to compensate for what happened under their watching eye.
“I urge you to take on this responsibility, not blame, apologise for what happened to these deeply damaged young men, accept that you can’t undo what has been done and offer compensation for those who were treated in such a terrible way before people using, and abusing, the proud name of Celtic FC.”
Dornan, MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, ends the letter by saying he will make it public unless Lawwell responds.
Celtic FC have responded in a statement stating Dornan's 'attacks on the club are unfair and misguided'.
A spokesperson for the club commented: "Celtic Football Club has already very publicly expressed its deep regret at the historical acts of abuse referred to in Mr Dornan’s letter and we reiterate that again today. We share his condemnation of the abuses which were perpetrated. Unfortunately - but for very strong legal reasons - the club was unable to respond to his letter.
"However, we believe that his attacks on the football club are unfair and misguided. We do not accept that we are not a caring club and we take all of our responsibilities very seriously – including those to the ongoing legal processes which unfortunately prevent us from saying more at present.
"We will continue to co-operate fully with the authorities and to meet all of our obligations."
The statement continued: "Celtic Football Club sincerely regrets that abuse occurred and we have great sympathy for the young people who suffered. Those who have come forward to report abuse and to give evidence have shown great courage. We have great respect and sympathy for them and their families as they continue to cope with the distressing effects of the abuse they suffered.
"The abuse of children is an issue affecting many areas of society, including a large number of football clubs, sports clubs, youth organisations, educational institutions and religious bodies across Britain.
"We strongly believe that children and young people involved in football have the right to protection from all forms of harm and abuse and we are committed to ensuring this and to promoting their wellbeing through continued cooperation with our children and young people, parents and carers and the relevant authorities".
Earlier this month the Daily Record revealed that Celtic FC investigated and cleared boys’ club leaders in 1986.
It follows the convictions of four child sex abusers - Jim Torbett, 71, Jim McCafferty, 73, Frank Cairney, 83, and Gerald King, 66, who were all involved with Celtic Boys’ Club.
