RST Write to Senior SNP Figures Over IRA Pub Visit

[ian1964 10,447]

Following complaints from our membership, the RST has today written to Humza Yousaf MSP, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and several members of her SNP government, seeking an explanation for the press event in the Govan Arms pub last week.

 

This event, in a pub where open support for the IRA has been filmed, was attended by several high profile members of the SNP including Alex Salmond MP, Humza Yousaf MSP, Tasmina Sheikh MP, Stewart Maxwell MSP and Fiona Hyslop MSP.

 

The letter reads as follows.

 

“Dear Mr Yousaf,

 

We are writing to you regarding your press event in the Govan Arms pub last week, as part of the launch of your election campaign. We would question why a member of the Scottish Government would be happy to pose for photos and be seen laughing and drinking in a pub which has hosted bands promoting the activities of the IRA.

 

We have in our possession a video taken in the Govan Arms on a night where an Irish Republican Band was playing. During the video, the band and the audience take part in prolonged chanting of "Ooh Ah Up the Ra”. We also have an admission from the Govan Emerald CSC, who were based in this pub, that they attacked Rangers fans on the day of an Old Firm game some time ago.

 

As a Celtic fan, you will no doubt be familiar with the substantial section of your support who regularly take part in chants in support of IRA terrorists. Indeed recent events in Stranraer saw several of your fellow supporters arrested for precisely that type of offence under the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act.

 

You should be aware of the incredible hypocrisy of both your own and your government’s position when you are collectively happy to promote an establishment which encourages precisely the sort of behaviour which your government claims to be attempting to stop.

 

Can you please answer the following questions as a matter of urgency:

 

1) Do you think it is appropriate for you to take part in a promotional event at an establishment which condones and encourages the promotion of terrorist organisations?

 

2) Do you believe that you and other high profile SNP MPs and MSPs should be posing for photographs at the home of a Celtic Supporters Club which openly admits physically attacking Rangers fans in the past?

 

3) Will you apologise publicly for arranging an event at this establishment and will you publicly condemn the singing of IRA songs by your fellow supporters in this establishment and at football matches over the past decade?

 

4) Will you undertake not to promote such establishments in the future should you be re-elected as a public servant?

 

We would like to make it clear that this is not a party political issue. Had Labour or Conservative candidates appeared at this establishment our disgust at their behaviour would have been equally as strong. We would hope that SNP voters, Rangers fans or not, would be appalled at this type of behaviour from their elected representatives. We will be making our letter to you public and would urge you to deal with this issue as a matter of urgency."

 

 

We will update members with any reply we receive from any of those contacted. We would also urge our members to politely make their feelings known to those involved.

 

- See more at: http://www.therst.co.uk/news/rst-write-to-senior-snp-figures-over-ira-pub-visit/#sthash.YUEBbgf2.dpuf

[pete 2,499]

I am not sure why the RST are getting involved to be honest. It is a political matter and nothing to do with Rangers.

[BEARGER 1,829]

I am not sure why the RST are getting involved to be honest. It is a political matter and nothing to do with Rangers.

 

The reason they are getting involved is because it's the SNP, for the RST to say they would do the same if it was labour or tory is just not true. The questions to the MSP are crass in the extreme, why mention what team he supports? The RST should stick to football matters, this has nothing to do with them.

I'm a RST member and not a SNP member.

Edited February 25, 2016 by BEARGER

[Bearman 9]

The pub that who's customers bombed my mate's car with bottles and stones right in front of police when making our way home from the St Mirren game at Ibrox in 2012.

[barca72 440]

I am not sure why the RST are getting involved to be honest. It is a political matter and nothing to do with Rangers.

 

I understand your stance but, ...

 

" We also have an admission from the Govan Emerald CSC, who were based in this pub, that they attacked Rangers fans on the day of an Old Firm game some time ago."

 

I think this gives a supporters' group licence to voice their disgust at public figures who conduct an event at such premises.

You don't see their bias?

[BrahimHemdani 1]

The reason they are getting involved is because it's the SNP, for the RST to say they would do the same if it was labour or tory is just not true. The questions to the MSP are crass in the extreme, why mention what team he supports? The RST should stick to football matters, this has nothing to do with them.

I'm a RST member and not a SNP member.

 

Hopefully you will make your views known to the powers that be at the RST.

[boabie 230]

I am not sure why the RST are getting involved to be honest. It is a political matter and nothing to do with Rangers.

 

Sorry Pete but the SNP are the party who following on from legislation introduced by the Labour party brought in laws which could easily see any Rangers fan arrested and jailed over a wooly act who's definition has never been explained to us. "Anybody" being "offended" or any police officer determining that "anybody" may be "offended" by any song, chant or act, not to mention online posting could see an arrest or door kicked in at 5 am. The fact those MSP's see fit to walk into a bar widely known to have patrons who not only sing the praises of terrorists but actively support them should be a worry to every citizen of this country.

Finally, if not the RST, who else ?

[Bearman 9]

The fact those MSP's see fit to walk into a bar widely known to have patrons who not only sing the praises of terrorists but actively support them should be a worry to every citizen of this country.

Finally, if not the RST, who else ?

 

This post all day long. Thanks boabie

[pete 2,499]

Sorry Pete but the SNP are the party who following on from legislation introduced by the Labour party brought in laws which could easily see any Rangers fan arrested and jailed over a wooly act who's definition has never been explained to us. "Anybody" being "offended" or any police officer determining that "anybody" may be "offended" by any song, chant or act, not to mention online posting could see an arrest or door kicked in at 5 am. The fact those MSP's see fit to walk into a bar widely known to have patrons who not only sing the praises of terrorists but actively support them should be a worry to every citizen of this country.

Finally, if not the RST, who else ?

 

The writer should have written it in his own name and not as a representative of a Rangers supporters group. When the Rangers fans were attacked was time for the RST to speak up. Did They? I am not a member of the RST so have no say on what they do but I don't see that this is their business to be honest.

[Bearman 9]

Salmond campaigning in a pro-terrorist shithole is a wake up call to those who champion independence imo.