Below is a letter from George Galloway sent to the Lord Advocate of Scotland, Scotland's chief law officer, and Stephen House, the Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police
I am writing to you as a former Glasgow Member of Parliament for 18 years and prospective candidate for Glasgow in the forthcoming Scottish parliamentary election.
My concern is the intolerable situation regarding the Celtic manager Neil Lennon and what appears to be the complete lack of effective action by the police and the justice authorities to identify, arrest and prosecute those who have made series of death threats against him and his close family.
Mr Lennon has, I understand, 24-hour police and security protection, a panic alarm in his house and has to have his partner and child removed to a safe house when he is absent at matches. Prior to the recent Old Firm game he had credible death threats against his family and live ammunition sent to him in the post and since the match dozens of websites have emerged, some of which give his home address together with pictures of his partner and child. Many even call for him to be killed.
Mr Lennon has, I understand, 24-hour police and security protection, a panic alarm in his house and has to have his partner and child removed to a safe house when he is absent at matches. Prior to the recent Old Firm game he had credible death threats against his family and live ammunition sent to him in the post and since the match dozens of websites have emerged, some of which give his home address together with pictures of his partner and child. Many even call for him to be killed.
In the past, as you know, Mr Lennon has been physically attacked. The then-Liverpool manager Bill Shankly said that football was more than a matter of life and death. For Neil Lennon it really is a matter of life and death.
This is totally intolerable and, as I am sure you agree, deeply shames Scotland in 2011.
I have seen reports of the recent ‘summit’ organised by the police. While the mooted measures to be implemented may well be worthwhile the only satisfactory one is the apprehension and conviction of those who call for Mr Lennon’s demise. I cannot believe that while paedophiles and cyber-criminals can be traced, tried and locked up it is beyond the ability of the national police forces to do the same against the despicable individuals and organisations responsible for threatening Mr Lennon’s life.
This is totally intolerable and, as I am sure you agree, deeply shames Scotland in 2011.
I have seen reports of the recent ‘summit’ organised by the police. While the mooted measures to be implemented may well be worthwhile the only satisfactory one is the apprehension and conviction of those who call for Mr Lennon’s demise. I cannot believe that while paedophiles and cyber-criminals can be traced, tried and locked up it is beyond the ability of the national police forces to do the same against the despicable individuals and organisations responsible for threatening Mr Lennon’s life.
I await your urgent response.
Yours faithfully,
George Galloway
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