It would appear that the spirit of Lord Rothermere of the inter-war years has not been fully exorcised from the Mail.
The quintessentially British newspaper famously supported Mosley’s British Union of Fascists in the 1930s.
This was at the same time as chap called Billy Fullerton and his street thugs “the Billy Boys” were splashing around in Fenian blood in Glasgow.
The Bridgeton sociopath is, of course, still fondly remembered by the Ibrox klan every time they extoll him in song.
In the late 1930s, Billy Fullerton joined Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists and he even started a Glasgow branch of the Ku Klux Klan.
As well as their well-known hatred of people of colour in America the Klan are also an anti-Catholic and anti-Semitic organisation.
Many of the Klan’s founder members were of “Scots Irish” heritage, descendants of Lowland Scots who had been “Planted” in Ulster in the 17th century.
So like the Ibrox chaps the Mail has both got some previous when it comes to xenophobia and far right politics.
However, I was still taken aback by this piece which remarked on the physical appearance of the people queuing for the new Apple mobile phone.
I had thought that even the Mail would balk at publishing such an observation.
Inhabitants of Planet Fitba may be interested to know that Mail columnist Richard Littlejohn is best buddies with Ramsay Smith .
Media House’s Executive Director and the company’s main man at Ibrox have shared many a jolly night out and family holidays with Mr Littlejohn.
As Mr Green’s statements, many penned by Ramsay, become more spirited one wonders if he has asked his good friend Richard for advice on vitriol and venom.
Leading author David Aaronovitch once described a book by Mr Littlejohn as a “400-page recruiting pamphlet for the British National Party.”
However, Mr Aaronovitch had actually read the book before giving his judgment, unlike many of the clairvoyant literary chaps who did their own critique of my book before it was even printed!
When Littlejohn was ‘transferred’ from the Sun to the Daily Mail in 2005, Paul Dacre the Mail’s editor in chief said Littlejohn was returning to, “his spiritual home.”
I am reliably informed that Mr Littlejohn has been a guest at Ibrox on matchdays.
So he will be aware of the unique ambience.
Perhaps he will write about his impressions of Ibrox in his column.
Of course now that there are no pesky match delegates to report them then the old song sheet may make a comeback down Govan way.
If the bears do break into a rendition of the “Billy Boys” at Ibrox then I am sure that the ghost of old Lord Rothermere from the 1930s would warmly approve…
Cill Dara Caledonian
Dal: “Would you define Sevco Scottish?”
Sevco, Sevco 5088, RFC 2012 Ltd, Sevco Scotland Ltd or the Rangers Football Club Ltd.; they could all be certainly Scottish, as the assets owned are in Scotland. The money that finances them, that’s probably international.
I suppose you could say that Man City are still English, despite huge investment from Abu Dhabi Group?
September 29, 2012 at 12:38 am
hokeypokey
I suspected that I might be wasting my time, however, I felt so outraged by this article that I felt the need to contact the PCC. This is their response;
Thank you for writing to the Press Complaints Commission.
While you have raised broader issues, the points you make about the article published in the Daily Mail relate directly to the individuals pictured in the photograph. It appears that it would be difficult for the Commission to investigate the matter fully without the involvement of any of these individuals.
In such circumstances, we would often take steps to contact the individual or individuals concerned to make them aware of our services. In this instance, however, there is no way for us to identify these individuals, so we are unable to take this step. We may therefore have difficulty in pursuing this matter. However, if you believe that there are exceptional public interest reasons for the Commission to proceed with an independent complaint under the circumstances, please let us know in the next ten days. Alternatively, if you know any of these individuals or are acting on their behalf, we would be most grateful if you could let us know.
Once we have heard from you, the Commission will be asked whether it wishes to take the complaint forward. If you would like to discuss your case before replying please do contact us. If we hear no more from you we will close our file on the matter.
If, at the end of the process, you are dissatisfied with the manner in which your complaint has been handled, you should write within one month to the Independent Reviewer who will investigate the matter and report any findings and recommendations to the Commission. For further details please use the following link: http://www.pcc.org.uk/about/whoswho/independentreview.html
A copy of the Code of Practice which all newspapers and magazines who subscribe adhere to, can be accessed using this web link: http://www.pcc.org.uk/cop/practice.html
Peter Wright, who was until the end of March 2012 editor of The Mail on Sunday, is currently a member of the Press Complaints Commission. However, as the Daily Mail, the sister newspaper of the Mail on Sunday, is the subject of your complaint he will not take part in any discussion or consideration of the complaint by the
Commission.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you need further advice. When you write to us, please quote our reference number on this email.
Yours sincerely
Simon Yip
Complaints Coordinator
Press Complaints Commission
Halton House
20/23 Holborn
London EC1N 2JD
Tel: 020 7831 0022
Website: http://www.pcc.org.uk
Phil, do you think Alex Thomson could appeal for someone from this group to come forward and take this journalist (sic) to task?
September 28, 2012 at 9:41 pm
Cill Dara Caledonian
I’m very surprised that Mr. Littlejohn would venture anywhere north of the Watford gap let alone go to Ibrox. After all, he’s been pretty unkind to the Scots in the past as well!
September 28, 2012 at 1:29 pm
Dal
Would you define Sevco as Scottish?
September 28, 2012 at 4:18 pm
Ian
My father bought and read the Daily Mail all his life,when I grew old enough to challenge his choice of reading his reply was “there are dangerous and sick people in this country and I like to know what they are up to” says it all I suppose.
September 28, 2012 at 6:44 am
Dal
There’s an undeniable analogy between Sevco and KKK. They share the same warped intolerance, hatred and ignorance. No surprise about the cosy relationship between Dark Ibrox, and their brethren at Stamford Bridge. The latter have stood by a guy who spewed out racist bile towards a black player.
September 28, 2012 at 12:27 am
Iain
Littlejohn and McKenzie must be twins who were separated at birth.
September 27, 2012 at 9:08 pm
Ben mcginlay
Off the subject, but will the Old F##m tag never go away. Heard Darren Jackson and Pat Nevin had mentioned it last night. Now sky sports app has quoted Neil Lennon saying he would love an old f##m game in the next tie. hope Neil never said that, I would be disappointed if he did. Old f##m phrase is a thing of the past, all Celtic minded people should be pointing out to everyone it is no more. Also app says that the club has been demoted to the third division. This suggests that everybody in the footballing world regards them as the same club/company/team. It’s as if nothing has happened. Selective memory will be rife in years to come.
September 27, 2012 at 8:55 pm
SamBrowneBelt
No, Neil said nothing like it. He didn’t even mention their name (whatever it is these days). All he said was he’d like a home draw. The last Old Firm game has been played, and Celtic won that Battle, as well as the War.
September 28, 2012 at 12:12 am
Ben mcginlay
I know now SamBrowneBelt, I spoke to mates in work. Misquotes are rife at the moment, the other side are keen to keep mentioning things as they used to be. It doesn’t help when ex celts do it, and misquotes as what happened with our Neil. They will stop at nothing to try and convince themselves and everyone in the footballing world. It just really annoys me.
September 28, 2012 at 6:23 pm
stevied
Who grassed up Andrew Mitchell MP? Obviously the polis – the victims for once.
Who grassed up Naisy Naismith? Could have anybody wi’ a telly, perhaps even a UEFA observer; that’s supposed to be there for, after all.
September 27, 2012 at 6:36 pm
cassiusclaysgranda
too true STEVIED with respect to your take on naismith,he’s guilty of reacting with the old elbow,( as are a lot of players ) remember the bhoy mc cann ( rangers v dunfermline game last season )& the sean maloney incident ( v rangers oct 2010 ) when he back head butted Sean Maloney because Sean was behind him challenging for an aerial ball and he knew what he was doing, Maloney had to leave the field of play with a possible concussion,he ( Naismith )won’t get away with that in ENGLAND,anyway Scotland are DEAD MEAT WITH RESPECT TO THE W.C.Q.s all because of the great and glorious glasgow SEVCO
September 28, 2012 at 11:14 am
alicantian
Another great article, but I clicked on the link to ‘people queuing’ and now I need to go for a long shower to try and rid myself of the filth that guy spouts in that ‘newspaper’.
September 27, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
I fully understand. I thought long and hard about putting that link into the piece. However,I think it has to be there for context.
September 27, 2012 at 4:45 pm
shaun dillon
The comments by little john are absolutely racist and shocking I have contacted the press complaints commission about his article and urge everyone to do the same
September 27, 2012 at 2:31 pm
Bill
Cowards
The KKK were covered up in order to mask their shame and carry out their criminal deeds. Extortion racketeers and thugs of the 1930′s BB variety found common purpose with the KKK ? Birds of a feather sticking the boot in together.
September 27, 2012 at 2:01 pm
George Collins
I remember years ago Littlejohn saying how “gladdened he was to see an Israeli flag” in one of the stands the “last time” he visited Ibrox.
What can you say?
September 27, 2012 at 1:28 pm
cassiusclaysgranda
HA HA an independent scotland,really don’t make me laugh,the place is rife bigotry bias with vile & vicious sectarian attitudes towards the catholic minority
September 27, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Robert McNamara
I am gobsmacked, lets get him in court for racial intolerance.
well done for highlighting this phil, I work in london, sat between Emad Ahmed (Arsenal Fan born and bred in london) Ching Yang Li (chinese graduate) Tom Newton (from Birmingham , Villa Fan) (Michelle Edwards , Aussie). They have done nothing but educate me in each of their cultures,even the Brum ! (dont mean to be brummish)
Who said, “when they came for the Jews, I didn’t care , I wasn’t Jewish…………………………….”
Good work Phil
September 27, 2012 at 10:46 am
Roy Burns.
Well, Littlejohn was right with his observation that “No doubt the usual suspects will howl ‘racism’”. And yes the usual suspects are indeed calling (and have every right) to call this piece of so-called observational journalism for what it is: unadulterated racism. A disgusting little man is Littlejohn.
September 26, 2012 at 11:07 pm
jimbo
they sang bigoted songs all night but all they spoke about was how great rangers were ,at one point patterson saying they will have to cover back post ,then saying thats good they have noticed him u could not make this up
September 26, 2012 at 10:51 pm
Mouldy67
Just read the piece in the mail, shocking
September 26, 2012 at 10:00 pm
Slugger O'Toole
Richard Littlejohn bad , Little John of Sherwood good .
September 26, 2012 at 9:21 pm
Stu
“Hurrah for the Blueshirts?” Hmmm, maybe not.
To be honest, it’s very hard to take the Mail, and it’s cousin in fascism The Express, very seriously. My parents read it, but I think everyone could say that. It’s basically pensioner porn.
September 26, 2012 at 9:02 pm
David
Just actually looked at the Mail article and the picture. I know that Dacre doesn’t do subtlety based on how he is represented in Private Eye but I am amazed that this got published
September 26, 2012 at 7:14 pm
hokeypokey
Good piece Phil. Zombie FC will always attract support from England due to their association to the Union Jack and Her Maj.
Individuals like Littlejohn and Jeff Winter view ZFC and their traditions as representative of their fight against a multicultural agenda.
I genuinely believe that this persecution complex disseminated by Charles Green through the loyal organs of the MSM, will have consequences for non-zombies, particularly Celtic-minded non-zombies.
The Yorkshireman would do well to read Robert Philip’s excellent article from 2001 about the murder of young Mark Scott by Jason Campbell.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/scottish-premier/2998669/Fighting-back-against-bigots.html
However,I am confident that this resurgence of WASPism is no more than the last act of defiance from a cohort who know deep down that their period of dominance has passed.
This dying breed will fade away in time just like their cousins in the North of Ireland who are also coming to realise that the bad old days have gone for ever.
September 26, 2012 at 7:13 pm
David
I read somewhere once that Mr Fullerton’s Wife and Mother were both Catholics. Bigotry is never predictable.
September 26, 2012 at 6:54 pm
Kenny McCaffrey
Well pointed out Phil. Good piece. I didn’t even know the cancerous Littlejohn was still spreading his bigotted claptrap.
He obviously doesn’t realise that most of the people in the queue are probably able to afford the new product because they work a lot of hours and don’t spend any of their money on booze (unlike a lot of his loyal readers) – and, because they’re used to getting up early, they don’t mind doing so to queue for the latest gadgets.
God knows they’re used to waiting too.
They actually look like a lot of my neighbours around here, about a mile from the Olympic stadium – recent scene of a lot of British success thanks to ‘foreign-looking types’. Littlejohn’s an @rse, Phil, always has been. It’s just a crying shame he makes so much money from being so.
September 26, 2012 at 6:50 pm