The Rangers Supporters Trust have had a complaint about Jim Spence dismissed by the Independent Press Standards Organisation.
The RST, who this week voted for their demise into Dave Kings Club 1872, were upset that Spence had described the use of EBT’s to pay players as illegal.
The article by the former BBC presenter was published in the Dundee based Courier shortly after the Court of Session ruled in favour of HMRC that income tax and national insurance were liable on payments made to dozens of players.
In their conclusion the IPSO stated: “Rangers had benefited in terms of player recruitment from the adoption of a scheme designed to minimise the payment of tax. The Court of Session had subsequently found the club was not entitled to operate this scheme lawfully without paying the higher rate of tax due.
“The Committee noted the arguments put forward by the complainant, including the opinion of a QC specialising in tax law. However, the article in question was a broad-ranging opinion piece on Scottish football, not a technical legal analysis of the Court of Session’s decision.
“The article did not say that the activities of Rangers were criminal or fraudulent in nature; it said that the club had gained an advantage from the use of Employee Benefit Trusts which was described variously as “illegal” and “unlawful”. In that sense, the term “illegal” was not inaccurate; there was no breach of Clause 1.
“The author expressed his opinion that Rangers were benefiting from “a scheme that was not open to other clubs, because it was unlawful.”
When people with powerful backers try to get journalists sacked democracy is at risk. Brave editors/managers crucial. 1 day it might be you
— Jim Spence (@JimSpenceSport) April 1, 2016
Valid complaints against reporters should be investigated &important that reporters are publicly exonerated when complaint is without merit.
— Jim Spence (@JimSpenceSport) April 1, 2016