Labour man attacks RCs

[Scottish_Republican]

Labour is the Catholic party then?!

http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com...?id=1373932006

Labour MSP attacks Catholic Church over spokesman's 'Tory propaganda'
EDDIE BARNES
POLITICAL EDITOR

LABOUR has waded into an extraordinary row with the Catholic Church, accusing one of its senior spokesmen of issuing anti-government propaganda to boost the electoral chances of the Conservative party. Scotland on Sunday can reveal that a senior Labour MSP has written to the Church's bishops to complain about a series of vitriolic public statements issued by a senior press adviser, who is known to have close links to the Scots Tories. Gerald O'Brien, who is now spokesman for Bishop Joseph Devine of Motherwell, formerly worked as a spin doctor for the Conservatives and is known as a friend of current Scots Tory leader Annabel Goldie.

In recent months, statements in Bishop Devine's name which have received wide circulation across Scotland have accused First Minister Jack McConnell's government of being "moral vandals" and "politically correct zealots". They have also noted how Goldie has challenged McConnell over schoolgirl pregnancies and abortions. Labour MSP Michael McMahon has now written to Devine and Cardinal Keith O'Brien, with the full knowledge of McConnell, to demand O'Brien be reined in. "This is a politically motivated campaign being run from the offices of the Diocese of Motherwell," he said.

The row has been simmering between the Church and the Labour party for months, but came to a head last week after ministers backed proposals to allow gay couples to adopt. A letter signed by Bishop Devine was sent to all MSPs attacking the "forces of political correctness" and the "insidious influence" which, the letter said, "threatens our innocent and vulnerable children". The letter triggered fury from Labour MSPs and ministers. In a meeting last Tuesday, senior Church advisers met Education Minister Peter Peacock in a private meeting in Edinburgh in an attempt to smooth the waters. However, Labour MSPs have now lost patience and have decided to go public with their complaints. They accept that the Church has the right to state its opposition to issues like gay adoption but claim that the Motherwell Diocese is now running a vendetta.

McMahon, who is a Catholic in the Motherwell Diocese, added: "I have written that Gerald O'Brien is having a detrimental effect on the Church. I hold my own local bishop in the highest regard but I can't accept that it is appropriate for his office to be used in this way. I was appalled by the letter last week and its tone, but this is not a one-off. It all started with the appointment of Mr O'Brien. He is a former employee of the Conservative party. I have no knowledge of any communications between him and the Tory party, but what I do know is that Gerald O'Brien detests the Labour party. He is using his own political perspective to attack the Labour party. This is a politically motivated campaign being run from the offices of the Diocese of Motherwell."

Privately, senior Church aides accuse O'Brien and Goldie of working together to pursue their agenda. One Church insider said: "He has used every single opportunity to attack the Scottish Executive in particular, and Jack McConnell in particular. He is never off the phone to her." However, Devine defended his press spokesman last night. He said: "Gerald O'Brien is a trusted and able press adviser who has done all I have asked of him - nothing more, nothing less." He added: "In carrying out his instructions he has served both me and the Church. Mr O'Brien's wide-ranging communications background, which includes the CBI, Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Conservative party, has also been of considerable benefit in establishing links with key business people and politicians of all major parties."

O'Brien said that he was a friend of Goldie's. "I have known Annabel for years, since university. No one can tell me who my friends should be or should not be," he said. He added it was "ridiculous" to suggest that he was following her orders. A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives dismissed the notion that O'Brien was working with Goldie. He said: "We are quite certain that what Mr O'Brien says is on behalf of the Catholic Church."