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https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/ne...celtic-boys-club-abuse-peter-lawwell-refusal/
'BRICK WALL'
Scots Tory MSP Adam Tomkins blasts Peter Lawwell after second refusal to meet over Celtic Boys Club abuse claims
A SCOTTISH Tory politician has claimed Peter Lawwell has twice refused to meet him to discuss the link between the Parkhead side and Celtic Boys Club.
Adam Tomkins MSP says he has had a number of concerns raised by constituents but the Hoops chief had so far declined his meeting requests.
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Adam Tomkins MSP - who met SFA chief Ian Maxwell today - described Peter Lawwell's refusal to meet him as 'a brick wall'
He also said the
club's claims that Celtic BC was a separate entity 'strongly appear' to have been
contradicted by recent evidence.
Tomkins met with SFA chief Ian Maxwell today to discuss historic sexual abuse within Scottish football.
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Tomkins claims Hoops chief Lawwell has twice refused to meet to discuss claims of links between the Parkhead side and Celtic Boys ClubCredit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow
He was impressed by the SFA's hard work on the matter, praising their efforts so far - but highlighting that it is still a work in progress.
Sharing his letter to Lawwell on Twitter, it read: "Dear Mr Lawwell, Thank you for your letter of 11 June responding to my earlier correspondence of 6 June.
"I note that, for the second time, you have declined to meet me.
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Tomkins shared his letter to Lawwell on his social media accounts
"I have asked for a meeting with you so that I can represent to you concerns that have been brought to my attention by constituents of mine about the relationship of Celtic Boys Club to Celtic FC.
"As you know, claims that Celtic FC have recently made about that relationship have been - or, at least, would strongly appear to have been - contradicted by evidence published last month on the front page of The Times newspaper.
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Tomkins said he was impressed with the SFA's hard work in tackling child abuse in Scottish football
"It is deeply frustrating that you refuse to meet. I have not met with a similar brick wall from the SFA.
"Indeed, quite the contrary - I met with the Chief Executive of the SFA earlier today at Hampden and we had a constructive and useful meeting.
"You have asked me not to publish your most recent letter to me on social media.
"Indeed, you have described it as 'confidential'. I do not understand this. There is no confidential information within it and I am not sure what you are hoping I will keep from the public.
Scots Tory Adam Tomkins claims ‘there’s no point being an MSP’
"None the less, I shall abide by your request. I will, however, be posting this letter on my social media accounts.
"It is in the interest of my constituents that they understand why I have not been able to take this matter forward with you in the manner that I should have wished.
"I am sorry that you have chosen not to be more co-operative with the elected representatives of our city"
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Celtic have distanced themselves from the boys club abuse, saying the two are 'entirely separate organisations'
In an earlier Twitter post, Tomkins said: "I had a very productive and constructive meeting with SFA chief exec Ian Maxwell to discuss historic child abuse in Scottish football and what the SFA are doing about it.
"I was was impressed by how seriously they continue to take the matter, such that the SFA are helping FIFA develop standards of international best practice as regards safeguarding children and young people at every level of football.
"We agreed that two matters are paramount. First, that coaches and everyone involved in the game is fully educated and trained in the importance of treating children and young players with dignity and respect at all times.
"And secondly that when there are instances of wrongdoing, children, young players, their families and supporters know who to turn to and can have confidence their complaints are dealt with swiftly, confidentially, and properly.
"The SFA have worked hard in recent months to put all this in place. It’s still work-in-progress. But what they’ve done so far is to be commended."
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James McCafferty was jailed for preying on ten teens - including one attack at Celtic Park
When approached by The Scottish Sun Online, Celtic declined to comment on the matter.
Last month, a lawyer representing Celtic Boys Club abuse victims claimed
new evidence provided "unanswerable proof" that Celtic FC is responsible for the actions of paedophile coaches.
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Beast Frank Cairney wrote in Celtic View that boys club was part of 'the Celtic family'Credit: John Kirkby - The Sun Glasgow
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Jim Torbett was caged for a second time in November for sexually abusing boys clubs playersCredit: Tom Farmer - The Sun Glasgow
And Tomkins claimed the new evidence strengthens the case for a full public inquiry.
Parkhead bosses have
expressed "regret and sorrow" for the victims but have repeatedly distanced themselves from the boys club, insisting they are an
"entirely separate organisation."
Archived
Celtic View articles appear to support claims about the historic link between Celtic and the boys club - with young players being "brought into the Celtic family."
In one article in the club's official magazine, David Hay, the Celtic manager at the time, described the boys club as “very much a part of Celtic FC”, with a columnist also writing of an “official connection” between the two.
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Former Celtic BC chairman Gerald King was given a three-year probation order after abusing five children as a teacher
Patrick McGuire, a partner at Thompsons Solicitors - who has previously
called on the the club to follow Manchester City's lead in setting aside millions for compensation claims - said the new evidence squashes any denial of a link between Celtic and the boys club.
A
fourth Celtic Boys Club predator was caged last month, prompting claims of a paedo ring cover up.
James McCafferty, 73, was jailed for six years and nine months after admitting
preying on ten teenage boys between 1972 and 1996 — including one attack carried out at Celtic Park.
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Frank Cairney, 83, abused eight boys while running St Columba's Boys Guild in Viewpark, Lanarkshire, and the under-16 team at Celtic Boys Club.
Former Celtic Boys Club chairman
Gerald King, 66, was convicted in December of sexually abusing four boys and a girl while working as a teacher.
Just weeks earlier,
Jim Torbett, 71, was jailed for six years for sexually abusing young players after he was found guilty of attacks on three boys, including one aged just FIVE.
