Gordon Brown has joined Scottish politicians and campaigners in welcoming the decision by Raith Rovers to drop David Goodwillie from their playing squad.
The Kirkcaldy-based club faced a nationwide storm of criticism this week after announcing the transfer of the striker - who was branded a rapist by a judge at a 2017 civil trial - from League One side Clyde.
The move led to celebrity fan and long-term club sponsor Val McDermid to sever her ties with Stark's Park, while dozens of volunteer staff also quit in response.
Rovers have now backed down and issued an apology today that explains Goodwillie will not play for the first team - with the club now looking to end his contract.
Brown, a life-long Raith fan and former MP for Kirkcaldy, was among those to speak out against the transfer.
The former prime minister today welcomed the move by the football club said: “This is the right decision.
“Now, as I said on Monday, football authorities, given the recent examples, need to consider how we deal with cases of footballers where there has been rape and violence against women.”
Rape Crisis Scotland, a group which campaigns to end sexual violence, said those who stood against Raith Rovers’ signing of David Goodwillie “should be proud” the player has been dropped.
The organisation had previously said the Kirkcaldy-based club’s decision to select the striker was a “clear message of disregard to survivors of rape”.
In a response to the club’s announcement that they had dropped Goodwillie, the organisation said: “There are no doubt unanswered questions and concerns here but fans, Val McDermid and the Scottish public should be proud that they made this decision by Raith Rovers FC untenable.”
Alba MP Neale Hanvey, who represents Kirkcaldy, said: "This is the right decision by Raith Rovers.
"They have heard the widespread public anger and acted accordingly.
"This has been a sorry chapter in the history of the club which was facing an open rebellion from its fan base and the wider community."
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