Val Mcdermid

[Meceme]

Val Mcdermid has been a life long supporter and major sponsor of Raith Rovers football club. Today she severed her connection and withdrew support in protest at the club signing a player previously found guilty of rape in a civil case. The police had previously not prosecuted as they felt there was not enough evidence.

Sorry I dont know how to do links but the story is easily searchable.

Standing up against violence against women.

@IKeptYouLikeAnOath

I think it's yet another illustration of just how completely women are not part of the thinking of groups of men.

although in this case, the Chief Exec is a woman!

Although I agree with PP that we can never be too confident, and the fact that this was ever considered at all is a disgrace, I do feel encouraged by the fact so many men, as well as women, resigned/publicly expressed their disgust at the situation - and also that it was the retraction of a female sponsor that finally made them realise their error. Makes a difference from when men have all the money which override women with all the feelings.

Although it's as good an outcome as is possible at this stage, it is outrageous that Goodwillie will likely still get paid a ridiculous amount by the club.

I'm not sure I like the new ladies teams being called McDermid Ladies. It all sounds like it's becoming a bit political now.
Apparently Nicola is going to watch their game on Sunday too.

Maybe they were just quickly choosing a name and let's face it, she's their bankroll.

I'm fine with a political leader visibly supporting female football, given how offensive male football keeps revealing itself to be.

I know the two women are linked but...so what?

@IKeptYouLikeAnOath

Maybe they were just quickly choosing a name and let's face it, she's their bankroll.

I'm fine with a political leader visibly supporting female football, given how offensive male football keeps revealing itself to be.

I know the two women are linked but...so what?

For me, given the issues surrounding womens rights, it completely smacks of making political hay. And that doesn't sit well with me. This isn't a political issue as such far more a moral one and I don't think any politician comes off well there.

I think that's looking through a very cynical lens. Why would you not want politicians to visibly show up as pro-women and anti-rapist?

@IKeptYouLikeAnOath

I think that's looking through a very cynical lens. Why would you not want politicians to visibly show up as pro-women and anti-rapist?

Well I would if they weren't anti women in other areas. It's just for the optics.

And the reality is it isn't political. He is entitled to work. Just, for me, not as a role model to young boys.

Would she have got involved if it was a labour supporter calling out the board? Did she get involved with him playing at Clyde?

I agree about the other areas of women's rights, but I wouldn't want those to preclude people from having or showing any amount of support for women. It's not all or nothing.

Nobody was really on board when he was at Clyde. Times have changed. What we expect from leaders and people in power has changed. This is a response to those changing times.

@IKeptYouLikeAnOath

I agree about the other areas of women's rights, but I wouldn't want those to preclude people from having or showing any amount of support for women. It's not all or nothing.

Nobody was really on board when he was at Clyde. Times have changed. What we expect from leaders and people in power has changed. This is a response to those changing times.

I think you are more forgiving than me.

I am cynical of her motives, I can admit that. It very much looks like coming out in support of her pal. Especially when generally womens rights don't seem to bother her. It's really hard to see it as anything other than a stunt.

How must the Clyde Women's Team feel.
The FM was not rushing to support them last weekend and he was still a signed Clyde player then.
The only difference between the 2 clubs is her friendship with Val McDermit.

I don't disagree, it is about how it looks, but it should look like a leader cares about women!

The 'she never cared last week' thing is just pointlessly being repeated now. How upset were any of us about him this time last week?

@IKeptYouLikeAnOath

I don't disagree, it is about how it looks, but it should look like a leader cares about women!

The 'she never cared last week' thing is just pointlessly being repeated now. How upset were any of us about him this time last week?

We aren't using the situation to make political hay though.

She didn't care he was playing last week, yet cares enough this week. Why? She was the leader of the government last week too. It's all just spin.

Are you suggesting that the political leader of a nation, apropos of absolutely no public opinion or outcry, should have spent time last week casting about looking for rapists to to hound out of a job?

That's very fucking weird. I get that most people on Scotsnet really hate NS, and I don't hold much regard for her, but that's just nonsense.

@IKeptYouLikeAnOath

Are you suggesting that the political leader of a nation, apropos of absolutely no public opinion or outcry, should have spent time last week casting about looking for rapists to to hound out of a job?

That's very fucking weird. I get that most people on Scotsnet really hate NS, and I don't hold much regard for her, but that's just nonsense.

So what changed this week? Given there have been rumours for weeks of him moving, surely getting involved - if in fact that's her place to do so, should have been done before he signed? Why wait until he signed?

Is she saying that he shouldn't work? Is she looking to introduce laws to stop rapists taking high profile jobs? What, as first minister, is she looking to achieve here?

Lord.

She's responding to the public groundswell of opinion. I'm sure she agrees and it has the added benefit of being almost universally popular to disapprove of RR and DG this week.

If she had instigated hostilities against a private citizen last week, with no provoking incident, don't you think that would be a serious overstepping of boundaries? But she is allowed an opinion on important current events in the country - in fact, should definitely have one.

@IKeptYouLikeAnOath

Lord.

She's responding to the public groundswell of opinion. I'm sure she agrees and it has the added benefit of being almost universally popular to disapprove of RR and DG this week.

If she had instigated hostilities against a private citizen last week, with no provoking incident, don't you think that would be a serious overstepping of boundaries? But she is allowed an opinion on important current events in the country - in fact, should definitely have one.

I do think it's an overstepping of her boundaries.

If it was someone else of a different political persuasion pulling financial support in a football club would she have got involved? I strongly suspect that answer would be no.

Whatever Nicola Sturgeon's motives, the real shock for me was that on the day that another footballer was in custody being interviewed about sexual assault, Raith Rovers thought it would be ok to announce the signing of someone who had been found guilty of rape in a civil hearing.

I hadn't realised that he had been playing for Clyde. I think there does need to be some decision about what to do about players convicted of sexual offences once their sentences have been served. They are in a position in which young boys and girls look up to them. To me, that makes football or other professions like TV presenting different.

Incidentally, somebody asked upthread if Gordon Brown had made any comments. Just in case they've not seen it, he has indeed criticised the club.