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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Philip Schofield: As far as I am concerned, I no longer have a brother."

522 replies

DancingWithMashedPotato · 03/04/2023 17:38

Philip Schofield's brother had now been convicted of sexual abuse with a young boy over a 3 yr period. Horrendous crime. Philip Schofield has now stated "As far as I am concerned, I no longer have a brother.""

Now, it's completely up to Philip how he responds to his brother in what must be a v v stressful time. I cast no judgement whatsoever, and his life in the public eye adds so many new dimensions for him that must be hard to handle.

However, his comments about no longer having a brother really cut deep and made me wonder how I'd react

I adore my siblings and I think (though obviously things might be different if it actually happened) that I couldn't bring myself to disown or abandon my brother's no matter what they did. I can imagine some very limited events which might lead to me not speaking to them for a bit, perhaps a v long time. But I think by and large, no matter what they did, however bad, while there are some things I couldn't forgive and maybe could never understand, I don't think I could disown them. AIBU?

What are your views? Are there some things you absolutely would disown your family for? Are there some generally agreed limits for what a person can tolerate from a family member before they are disowned. Is child abuse the line? Murder?

OP posts:
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5
DarkDarkNight · 03/04/2023 19:56

I think he’s doing what he needs to protect his career. Like the brave ‘coming out’ before he was pushed out. He’s very calculating.

Wtfisthis1 · 03/04/2023 19:58

I have no opinion about this particular story as who knows the truth but if I knew for a fact a sibling or any relative friend of mine did this, I would disown them. How can child abuse ever be forgiven?

PotterofGryfindor · 03/04/2023 20:03

Gymnopedie · 03/04/2023 19:42

PS couldn't make any statement until the trial verdict was given. As soon as it was a police and criminal case, a public statement would be considered prejudicial to the fairness of the hearing - and yes, even paedophiles are entitled to a fair trail.

It may be that PS took that line much earlier in private, but as a public figure he couldn't say anything more widely.

Or it may be that he is disowning him in public whilst supporting him in private. It sounds like this might be wise if his brother knows anything incriminating about him.

Crumpleton · 03/04/2023 20:03

WheelsUp · 03/04/2023 17:53

I find it shocking that there's nothing that would make you disown a sibling. There are some really nasty pieces of work out there like the person who's been sent down today for killing a NINE year old over gang crap. I could
not "be there" for someone who knowingly inflicted such pain and suffering on an innocent.

Then showed his true colours further by not having the balls to hold his hands up by pleading guilty and saving the little one's family from reliving that awful night in court.

DollyParton2 · 03/04/2023 20:03

Agree with the majority that I find him scheming, calculating, self obsessed, arrogant and has so clearly said this now to try and protect his precious career. As so many moves previously have done. If he cared so much he wouldn’t have listened to his brother confess to this years ago saying “tut tut, I don’t want to hear the details but be a good boy and don’t do it again” then have dinner with him!! Awful man. Glad people can finally see his true colours.

Red0 · 03/04/2023 20:04

This reply has been deleted

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GonnaGetGoingReturns · 03/04/2023 20:06

There’s another thread on This Morning here and a few of us have speculated as to what Pip would do, he’s basically done all he has to do and has disowned him to save his career. However, this is after his brother has been found guilty so before he went to trial but wasn’t found guilty did Pip still think his brother was innocent, as it seems so.

He’s definitely a hypocrite judging by Matthew McGreevy though. Nasty piece of work Pip is.

Beantag · 03/04/2023 20:07

DollyParton2 · 03/04/2023 20:03

Agree with the majority that I find him scheming, calculating, self obsessed, arrogant and has so clearly said this now to try and protect his precious career. As so many moves previously have done. If he cared so much he wouldn’t have listened to his brother confess to this years ago saying “tut tut, I don’t want to hear the details but be a good boy and don’t do it again” then have dinner with him!! Awful man. Glad people can finally see his true colours.

I agree with this, he didn't think to report it when he found out, even if he was told the boy was 16 to the vast majority of people that'd be ringing alarm bells and he knew it was wrong as he said dont do it again. He's disowning him publicly now (probably will keep in touch in private) because he's worried about his career, disgusting hypocrite.

Suzi888 · 03/04/2023 20:07

Blistory · 03/04/2023 17:43

It's for show.

He knew what his brother had done and didn't disown him. Now that it's public knowledge, he changes his tune.

Funny that.

^This
He’s protecting his job, that’s all.

I would disown a family member for a whole host of crimes.

Spidey66 · 03/04/2023 20:08

My dad fell out with his brother in a disagreement over my nan's will. He disowned him completely when he found out he'd sexually abused his daughters.

Timeforchangeithink · 03/04/2023 20:08

DancingWithMashedPotato · 03/04/2023 17:47

I could see myself cut off my brother's for that. But I don't think I could completely disown? I mean, I'd stop speaking, let them know I cant/wont continue to communicate with them. But ultimately, I'd still see them as my sibling and if they ever needed me, Id b there. I think there's a difference between cutting off/going NC, and saying you no longer have a brother(?)

Show quote history

What if the victim was your son? Would you still be there for your dearest brother then?

Museya15 · 03/04/2023 20:12

He's a contrary wee shite but if my brother was a paedophile, I'd never speak to him or forgive him. What they do to children destroys them forever.

Phelm · 03/04/2023 20:15

rainbowstardrops · 03/04/2023 18:06

I suspect this is the case

Show quote history

Yup.

Naunet · 03/04/2023 20:17

I would never speak to my brother again, he’d be dead to me, and I know that for a fact because I’ve already done it with my dad. I’d also cut off anyone in the family that supported him, I would never be able to look at them the same way again.

MrsMcisaCt · 03/04/2023 20:17

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This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

pettysquabbles · 03/04/2023 20:20

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Totally this. I'm looking forward to it coming out.

DollyParton2 · 03/04/2023 20:24

Holly has the exact same qualities I listed above about Schofield. No wonder they go on holiday with each other / queue jump together regularly… no idea how or why so many people fall for their clearly so insincere “lovely normal people next door who would happily hang out with any random member of the public” act like they’d be your mate. As if!!! They so clearly think they are so above the majority, are cringing at most people and skipping gleefully to the bank with the millions they make off this awful act that so many sheep swallow.

Heygal · 03/04/2023 20:27

My line is sexual offences and absolutely any abuse that involves a minor.
murder could be forgiven…

Godwhatswrongwithme · 03/04/2023 20:29

@TakingMilesFromInches Why though?

Shitsandwiches · 03/04/2023 20:29

Suzi888 · 03/04/2023 20:07

^This
He’s protecting his job, that’s all.

I would disown a family member for a whole host of crimes.

Show quote history

Everything with him is a show. His TM persona is a show. His marriage was a show. Behind the mask he's an arrogant, dubious, self-obsessed creep. Same with Holly. I could never watch that dross because the feeling of being patronised by those two narcissists would infuriate me!

Jellifulfruit · 03/04/2023 20:33

DancingWithMashedPotato · 03/04/2023 17:47

I could see myself cut off my brother's for that. But I don't think I could completely disown? I mean, I'd stop speaking, let them know I cant/wont continue to communicate with them. But ultimately, I'd still see them as my sibling and if they ever needed me, Id b there. I think there's a difference between cutting off/going NC, and saying you no longer have a brother(?)

Show quote history

Sorry, you’re a wrong’en

Jacketspudtunamayo · 03/04/2023 20:33

DancingWithMashedPotato · 03/04/2023 17:47

I could see myself cut off my brother's for that. But I don't think I could completely disown? I mean, I'd stop speaking, let them know I cant/wont continue to communicate with them. But ultimately, I'd still see them as my sibling and if they ever needed me, Id b there. I think there's a difference between cutting off/going NC, and saying you no longer have a brother(?)

Show quote history

So you’re saying that you sympathise with a paedo then? Brother or not @DancingWithMashedPotato

RedToothBrush · 03/04/2023 20:34

Blistory · 03/04/2023 17:43

It's for show.

He knew what his brother had done and didn't disown him. Now that it's public knowledge, he changes his tune.

Funny that.

Phil Scofield has a timing problem.

His brother's case being at the same time as it being proposed by government to make it an offence not to report sexual abuse of a minor, when he's just gone on record for failing to do so.

That's not going to go away.

How does he explain himself?

User17865 · 03/04/2023 20:34

Forgooodnesssakenow · 03/04/2023 17:54

I'm an Irish woman, a couple of generations ago in our communities it was common place to hush victims and carry on supporting paedophiles, minimise their crimes and keep it 'in the family' so based on that id absolutely disown anyone for this because I know the stories of the victims an the hurt it causes to see perpetrators supported. Have a look at your own reasoning on why you'd support someone who sexually assaulted a child. Really think about what that means about that person. I wouldn't make a public stand but I'd quietly disown them and mourn the sibling I thought I had.

Well said!

How do you think a child would feel OP to see you still wanting to “be there” for your sibling if that person had abused them and ruined their life?

Hayliebells · 03/04/2023 20:35

I can imagine cutting a sibling out of my life for something like that, yes. I don't think I'd always "be there" for them, no matter what.

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