Sexual abuse in Scottish football: FOI release

Information requested

1. In that request, I was informed that the Scottish Government had not made contact with the United States Department of Justice, The New Jersey Attorney General, or both. Since the previous request:

1.1 Has the Scottish Government made contact with either or both?

1.2 If no contact has been made, can it be explained why?

1.3 If yes, what was discussed?

1.4 If no, why has no contact been made?

1.5 Without discussing specific legal advice - was legal advice sought if no contact has been made?

1.6 Which Scottish Government minister is responsible for making the decision?

2. I previously asked if any inquiry had taken place into the allegation that a list of 14 names of alleged peadophiles were handed to Strathclyde Police:

2.1 Can it be confirmed if there are any plans for the Scottish Government to request that either or both the Procurator Fiscal, Police Scotland look into what became of this information?

2.2 If an investigation is to be carried out, when is this planned to start?

2.3 If no investigation is to take place - can you please confirm the reason why?

2.4 Without discussing specific legal advice - was legal advice sought in relation to not investigating this matter further?

2.5 Which Scottish Government minister is responsible for making the decision?

3. Have Police Scotland, the Procurator Fiscal, a police force outside Scotland or an independent agency been asked to look at the handling of sexual abuse investigations at Celtic Boys Club?

3.1 If an investigation is to take place, when will this begin?

3.2 If no investigation is to take place - can you confirm the reason why?

3.3 Without discussing specific legal advice - was legal advice sought in relation to not investigating this matter further?

3.4 Which Scottish Government minister is responsible for making the decision?

4. I was informed in the above request that the Scottish Government would not make a decision regarding an inquiry until after the Scottish Football Association had published their own report into sexual abuse in Scottish football, with that report was published on 11th Feb 2021.

4.1 Can the Scottish Government confirm when they will announce their decision?

4.2 Can it be confirmed which minister will be responsible for making the decision?

4.3 Without discussing specific legal advice - has legal advice been sought in relation to whether an inquiry will be held into sexual advice in Scottish football ( historic and current )?

5. It has been stated that in some cases of sexual abuse related to Celtic Boys Club that victims were transported to England where the abuse took place:

5.1 Has contact been made with English police forces to allow them to help with investigations?

5.2 Have they been alerted to possible historic abuse in their constabularies?

5.3 Has Scottish ministers made contact with the Home Secretary to make them aware of the possible offence so that investigations can be coordinated?

5.3 If the above has happened, can it be confirmed when?

5.4 If no contact has been made with either English police forces, or the Home Secretary, can it be explained why?

5.5 Without discussing specific legal advice - was legal advice sought in relation to not making contact with the police, or the Home Secretary?

5.6 Which Scottish Government minister is responsible for making these decisions?

Response

1. In that request, I was informed that the Scottish Government had not made contact with the United States Department of Justice, The New Jersey Attorney General, or both. Since the previous request:

1.1 Has the Scottish Government made contact with either or both?
No, the Scottish Government has not been in contact with either the United States Department of Justice or the New Jersey Attorney General.

1.2 If no contact has been made, can it be explained why?
It is not within the Scottish Government’s remit to be in contact with these organisations.

1.3 If yes, what was discussed?
N/A

1.4 If no, why has no contact been made?
Please refer to our answer to 1.2.

1.5 Without discussing specific legal advice - was legal advice sought if no contact has been made?
No legal advice was sought.

1.6 Which Scottish Government minister is responsible for making the decision?
No Scottish Government Minister is responsible as it is out with the Scottish Government’s remit.

2. I previously asked if any inquiry had taken place into the allegation that a list of 14 names of alleged peadophiles were handed to Strathclyde Police.

2.1 Can it be confirmed if there are any plans for the Scottish Government to request that either or both the Procurator Fiscal, Police Scotland look into what became of this information?
There are no plans.

2.2 If an investigation is to be carried out, when is this planned to start?
N/A

2.3 If no investigation is to take place - can you please confirm the reason why?
It is for Police Scotland to investigate any allegation of information being handed to the police.

2.4 Without discussing specific legal advice - was legal advice sought in relation to not investigating this matter further?
No

2.5 Which Scottish Government minister is responsible for making the decision?
No Scottish Government Minister made a decision as it is a matter for Police Scotland.

3. Have Police Scotland, the Procurator Fiscal, a police force outside Scotland or an independent agency been asked to look at the handling of sexual abuse investigations at Celtic Boys Club?
The Scottish FA undertook a wide ranging independent inquiry into historical abuse in Scottish football, covering all clubs.

3.1 If an investigation is to take place, when will this begin?
As you are aware, the Scottish FA have already undertaken the independent inquiry and published the report.

3.2 If no investigation is to take place - can you confirm the reason why?
N/A

3.3 Without discussing specific legal advice - was legal advice sought in relation to not investigating this matter further?
No

3.4 Which Scottish Government minister is responsible for making the decision?
The Deputy First Minister was aware of the Scottish FA’s inquiry.

4. I was informed in the above request that the Scottish Government would not make a decision regarding an inquiry until after the Scottish Football Association had published their own report into sexual abuse in Scottish football, with that report was published on 11th Feb 2021.

4.1 Can the Scottish Government confirm when they will announce their decision?
There are no plans to hold a public inquiry.

4.2 Can it be confirmed which minister will be responsible for making the decision?
No Scottish Government Minister has made a decision.

4.3 Without discussing specific legal advice - has legal advice been sought in relation to whether an inquiry will be held into sexual advice in Scottish football ( historic and current )?
No

5. It has been stated that in some cases of sexual abuse related to Celtic Boys Club that victims were transported to England where the abuse took place:

5.1 Has contact been made with English police forces to allow them to help with investigations?
This is a formal notice under Section 17 that the Scottish Government does not have any information on this.

5.2 Have they been alerted to possible historic abuse in their constabularies?
This is a formal notice under Section 17 that the Scottish Government does not have any information on this.

5.3 Has Scottish ministers made contact with the Home Secretary to make them aware of the possible offence so that investigations can be coordinated?
No, the Scottish Government have not been in contact with the Home Secretary.

5.3 If the above has happened, can it be confirmed when?
N/A

5.4 If no contact has been made with either English police forces, or the Home Secretary, can it be explained why?
These investigations are a Police matter and the Scottish Government is not able to intervene.

5.5 Without discussing specific legal advice - was legal advice sought in relation to not making contact with the police, or the Home Secretary?
None, please see our response to 5.4.

5.6 Which Scottish Government minister is responsible for making these decisions?
None, please see our response to 5.4.

Complaints about the police should be raised directly with Police Scotland. The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 stipulates that the Chief Constable of Police Scotland is responsible for the policing of Scotland, and is accountable to the Scottish Police Authority for this, rather than to Scottish Ministers directly. These arrangements are in place to ensure public confidence that the police act independently, free from unwarranted Ministerial interference. I hope you will understand it would therefore be inappropriate for the Scottish Government to comment on, or seek to intervene in, the police handling of any individual case. If you have not done so already, your concerns should be brought directly to the attention of PoliceScotland for investigation. This can be done by  writing to: Professional Standards Department, PO Box 2460, Police Scotland, Dalmarnock, Glasgow, G40 9BA. Alternatively, you could ask a solicitor, your MSP or your local councillor to write to Police Scotland on your behalf if you do not feel confident doing this.

Other ways to make a formal complaint to Police Scotland are by calling the police non-emergency number 101, by filling out the online complaint form on the Police Scotland website:
https://www.scotland.police.uk/secureforms/police-complaints/ or by visiting a police station.

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