The Tom Tom Club.
Oh the anguish!
Yesterday, BBC Scotland's Chief Sports Writer, Tom English Tweeted, "The BBC has asked me to delete a tweet I posted at the weekend about Celtic's statement on Shane Warne, as it did not meet Editorial standards". Tom had found Celtic's comment on the death of the Australian international Cricketer to be akin to ambulance chasing. FC Separate Entity saw an opportunity to tie in and reinforce their new found love of all things Australian. They posted a photograph of Shane Warne sporting a training top with Club sponsors, 'Dafabet' - the online gambling company prominently displayed across his chest. Underneath the photo it read, "Everyone at Celtic FC is saddened to hear of the death of Australian Cricket legend, Shane Warne. The thoughts and prayers are with Shane's family at this extremely sad time".
Now, as Rangers supporters we know Tom's Twitter account is a personal account and NOT BBC Scotland's responsibility because that is what we are told when we complain about some of his comments on the means. It's the very same with Chris McLaughlin et al. Why has BBC Scotland changed their practice? The Chief Sports Writer's response to Celtic's opportunism was, "Shoehorning in a promotion for the Club's sponsor? This is so crass". Of course, Celtic could have utilised any one of 100,000 stock photographs of Shane Warne in his international pomp. Shane's career spanned 24 years, his international period lasted 15 years, he never wore a Dafabet top whilst playing.
Anyways, the Yahoos bombarded Tom with every complaint apart from the usual anti-Irish one. They got on to his employer, BBC Scotland and demanded an apology. Pacific Quay did not do their habitual thing ie Tom's Twitter is a personal account and not our responsibility, no they turned 180 degrees and told Tom to delete the Tweet. Tom became most compliant and did as he was ordered to do, he deleted his Tweet.
These last five years, BBC Scotland has justified it's continuing stance on delivering a lesser service to BBC License Fee paying Rangers supporters upon the principle of, 'Journalistic Freedom'. I would have expected a host of senior, experienced Journos at PQ to be publicly pleading with Tom to adhere to those principles of journalistic freedom? Nah, they are all searching the building for Editorial Standards.