Press Release
8th June 2000
Revealed - Tories Split over Morton Campaign
The Tory group in the Scottish Parliament was last night in turmoil over the campaign to save Morton Football Club.
Tory Sport spokesman, Brian Monteith, has sent a furious communication to 4 Tory MSPs who have supported the motion tabled by MSP for Greenock & Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, regarding the situation at the club.
The memo, to top Tories Lord James-Douglas Hamilton, Murray Tosh, David Mundell and Bill Aitken, reads:
"I am disappointed to see that you have signed Duncan McNeil’s motion on Greenock Morton without first seeking clarification from myself as Sports Spokesman.
"The sentiments of the motion are well meant, but it is not our policy to support increased rights for supporters – an open ended commitment that is likely to involve interference in legitimate businesses owned by individual shareholders."
Commenting, Mr McNeil, who has been working with fans’ and players’ representatives over the past weeks to raise awareness of the situation at the club and work towards a solution, said:
"Once again the Tories side with the football fat cats rather than the football fans.
"On Monday 5th June 2000, Mr Monteith told the Greenock Telegraph that he had the interests of Morton fans at his heart. The original motion ‘did not seem to go as far as most Morton fans would like,’ he said. Continuing, ‘I look forward to working with people of all parties to bring about an acceptable outcome to the present situation.’
"But Mr Monteith admits the truth behind closed doors. He is against increased rights for supporters.
"This hidden agenda flies in the face of the central message of the campaign: It is not acceptable for hard-nosed businessmen to ride roughshod over the wishes of football fans and put a community asset in jeopardy.
"If Mr Monteith had attended the lobby of Parliament, he would have heard that point being made repeatedly."
ENDS
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