SNP minister Derek Mackay has defended his ‘non bigoted’ brother Stephen despite posting a video clip on facebook showing his partner and other blasting out the anti-Catholic hate anthem The Billy Boys.
Mackay gives it all the usual stuff to defend his brother rather than condemn him and get Police Scotland to review the video.
The video was taken at the October 2016 League Cup semi-final which Celtic won 1-0.
For some reason, 18 months later Stephen decided to post it on his facebook page. The song glories in the murder of Catholics as members of a Bridgton gang wade up to their knees in blood.
Speaking to The Sun Finance Minister Mackay claimed: “I know Stephen. He’s not bigoted, he’s not sectarian. I’ve never heard him use any language like that or an attitude that would lead me to believe that.
“We are the product of a Catholic mother and a Protestant father.
“I don’t know what he’s got on his Facebook but if it portrays sectarianism then of course I would condemn and criticise that. He should be careful about what he chooses to associate with.”
The two brothers are friends on facebook.
As a recent ‘Rangers’ nine-in-a-row dinner and the songs of Scotland rugby fans in Italy proved Catholic hatred cuts across all classes in Scotland and is as likely among the well heeled toffs as anyone else. Even among politicians and cabinet ministers.
In March 2011 after sitting through an afternoon of anti-Catholic hatred at the League Cup Final, former Justice Secretary Kenny McAskill said: “This was the showpiece final everyone wanted to see, and it was a great advert for Scottish football.
“Both teams were passionate, committed and it was end to end stuff from kick off to the final whistle.
“The players, management and fans contributed to a memorable occasion, and I urge that their positive example inside the ground is replicated outside it over the course of the evening and beyond.”
Mackay is the MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, winning the 2016 election with a majority of 7373.
