The reply from a "Celtic spokesman" needs read by everyone
'SECRECY' BLAST
Lawyers of Celtic Boys Club child abuse victim accuse Celtic of ‘legally classifying survivors’ after ex-player is compensated
- 17 Aug 2019, 17:31
- Updated: 17 Aug 2019, 20:23
LAWYERS representing victims of the Celtic Boys Club child abuse scandal have launched a blistering attack on Celtic chiefs after the club agreed to pay compensation to an ex-player abused by paedo Jim McCafferty.
We told earlier how Celtic will
pay thousands of pounds to a former pro-youth player, who cannot be named for legal reasons, after he was abused by former kitman McCafferty.
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McCafferty was convicted for abusing youngsters
A settlement was agreed after the former player, in his 30s, successfully raised a claim through the Personal Injury Court in Edinburgh, with the club admitting liability.
But the legal team for Boys Club abuse victim Kenny Campbell blasted the Parkhead club after news of the settlement emerged – and accused them of “trying to keep it secret” and “legally classifying survivors”.
Celtic have since responded to Mr McGuire's statement and denied trying to keep the matter a secret.
Patrick McGuire, a partner at Thompsons Solicitors, said: “It is very significant that news has emerged of Celtic reaching a settlement with one survivor.
US cops probe 'abuse of Celtic Boys Club player' on trip led by Frank Cairney
“The Scottish public can draw their own conclusions over the fact that the club tried to keep this secret and have issued no apology.
“Celtic now appear to be legally classifying survivors.
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Lawyers have accused Celtic of 'trying to keep settlement secret'Credit: PA
ress Association
“The vast majority of the survivors were at the boys club or at other youth football clubs in the Glasgow area where all the the men recently convicted held sway.
“But the separate entity defence dreamed up by Celtic’s spin doctors and insurance brokers means the club have simply ignored those survivors.
“For reasons of legal strategy in respect of the convicted paedophile Macafferty it appears the club have decided they can’t use this defence and so have tried to reach secret deals.
“This is utterly shameful.
“The club need to consider the effect all has on boys club survivors. Using legal trickery to winnow through abuse claims is abhorrent.
“Instead of listening to their spin doctors the club should meet with us and our clients now.
“Openness and decency is the way out of this for Celtic. We again appeal to Peter Lawwell and the board to do the right thing.”
Mr Campbell, who was abused by convicted Boys Club founder Jim Torbett, said: “Celtic have always done whatever they could to make me feel invisible.
“They never answer my letters and their highly paid PR company block me on twitter.
“Today’s news of a secret payout to a survivor approved by their shady spin doctors is another kick in the teeth.
“All I can say is please Peter Lawwell please don’t try and grade survivors by who abused us and when on the advice of these PR guys.
“Can I meet with you and with the other survivors so you can hear our story. I’m told you’re a decent guy. I want to believe it please just do the right thing.”
Celtic hit back Mr McGuire's statement, branding it "misleading and unjustified".
A spokesperson for Celtic FC said: "We deliberately did not comment on the news story this morning for reasons of respect for the victim of the historic abuse at the hands of Jim McCafferty.
"However, we cannot let Mr McGuire’s continued misleading and unjustified attacks on the club and on our Chief Executive in the media to continue. The McCafferty settlement was based on legal advice and is evidence alone of the club’s willingness to meet its obligations.
"We did not ask for a confidentiality agreement to be signed or keep this case ‘a secret’, so for Mr McGuire to suggest otherwise is completely untrue. We have, however, conducted this matter with sensitivity and discretion, which we think is the considerate and appropriate approach.
"As we have made clear, the ongoing cases should be pursued through the legal process and not through the media, yet Mr McGuire appears to be more interested in writing press releases than in corresponding with our insurers or their lawyers. We respect claimants’ rights and our advisers will communicate with them and their representatives directly in the proper manner, which is precisely what our representatives are doing.
"We have said very clearly and publicly that we have enormous sympathy for all victims of historic abuse, which has occurred across many different organisations.
"As a club, we take our obligations and responsibilities seriously and are co-operating fully with both the authorities and the process. We consider Mr McGuire’s words therefore not just to be wholly disrespectful of what is a very sensitive legal process but also grossly inaccurate and defamatory.
"We will continue to follow the proper processes, as we have done from the outset, and to meet all of our obligations."
McCafferty, who has held roles at both Celtic FC and Celtic Boys Club, was
jailed earlier this year after admitting a string of historic sex offences against young players.
He became the
fourth paedophile associated with the Boys Club to be convicted in recent months.
Frank Cairney, 83, was jailed for four years in February for preying on eight youngsters.
Torbett, 71, was also caged for a second time last year for sexually abusing kids at the Boys Club.
Former Boys Club chairman Gerald King, 66, was found guilty of targeting five kids but dodged jail.
Celtic bosses previously
expressed “regret and sorrow” for victims of abuse following McCafferty’s conviction.
But the club has always insisted the Boys Club was a separate entity.
Celtic announced in May they had been conducting a two-year investigation into the child abuse scandal at Celtic Boys Club.
The SFA have also launched a five-year plan to make footie safer for kids following the sex abuse scandal.