The director of the Scottish Catholic Media Office has said that the allegedly offensive email that led to referee chief, Hugh Dallas, leaving the Scottish Football Association was an example of widespread anti-Catholic sentiment in Scotland.
Following an article in yesterday's Sunday Times Scotland, Peter Kearney is quoted in The Scotsman, page 5, saying that Dallas’ email was an illustration of “deep, wide and vicious anti-Catholic hostility”. Kearney adds that “the bigotry, bile, sectarian undercurrents and innuendos must end”.
Kearney also urges Scottish Catholics to take action against bigotry. He is quoted, saying: “Our grandparents and our parents suffered intolerance and persecution. We will not tolerate it. We will not laugh it off – because there is no funny side.”
Meanhwhile, The Herald (page 3) reports that Kearney’s comments mark a historic moment for Scotland, according to leading historian, Professor Tom Devine. Devine, of Edinburgh University, is quoted, saying: “Whether one accepts it or not, it is historically significant, this is the first time that an official spokesperson for the Catholic Church has come out to say this with such vehemence.”
Staying with The Herald (page 20) the paper carries an obituary for Scottish journalist, Bob Ferrier, who died earlier this month. Writes The Herlald: “In more than 30 years in Fleet Street Mr. Ferrier went on to work for the London Evening Standard, Sunday Despatch, Sunday Express, The Observer, The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Times.”
But Ferrier is perhaps best known for his sports coverage, particularly golf. The Herald writes: “Golf was his first love, covering every Open Championship between 1948 and 1994 and he is believed to be the first British golf writer to attend the Masters at Augusta, when in 1962 he covered Arnold Palmer’s third victory for The Observer.”
Elsewhere, in today’s Scottish Sun (page 11) columnist, Martel Maxwell, has accused Strictly Come Dancing judge, Alesha Dixon, of shaming the BBC with her poor spoken English. Writes Maxwell, Dixon’s “grasp of the English language is shocking”. Maxwell adds: “Standards of spoken English will vary but we shouldn’t have BBC presenters with less of a grasp than your average five year-old.”
Staying with the Sun (page 1 of the TV Biz supplement) has revealed that Jonathon Ross’ first presenting job since leaving the BBC in July will be hosting a new magic show, for ITV1. The programme, due to be screened over the festive period, will challenge magicians to trick legendary American conjuring duo, Penn and Teller.
Any illusionist who can fool the double act will win a trip to Las Vegas to be the opening act for their show. Executive producer Peter Davey is quoted, saying: “It’s a real pleasure to work with the undisputed governors of magic and their friend Jonathan.”
In today’s Scottish Daily Mail (page 33), columnist, Richard Kay, commends former newsreader Selina Scott for her efforts to scupper property tycoon Donald Trump’s plans to build a golf course in Aberdeenshire.
Writes Kay: “After she learnt that bulldozers had been sent in to the site on Friday, she sent a message of support to rebel landowner Mike Forbes, who has stubbornly refused to sell his home and land in the middle of Trump’s proposed development north of Aberdeen.”
Scott is quoted, saying: “What does it say about Scotland that it can allow one of its most precious landscapes to be destroyed for an American profit? Does Scotland need another golf course – and one sited on the fog-bound coast of northern Aberdeen?”
Kay also reports that former News of the World and Daily Mirror editor, Piers Morgan, has bought a pub in London. Writes Kay: “Morgan, 45, has recently become the proud owner of the Hansom Cab pub, a delightful watering hole around the corner from his home in Kensington.”
Morgan is quoted, saying: “Pubs play a big role in my family. My parents used to run one in East Sussex called the Griffin Inn, and my brother Rupert has worked in the trade. So it’s a case of if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.”
