Senior Scottish minister blasts Old Firm thugs as “barbaric”

By Michael MacLeod

OLD Firm football thugs who beat their wives have been slated as “barbaric” by a senior Government minister ahead of Saturday’s potentially explosive SPL title deciding clash at Ibrox.

Communities Minister Alex Neil revealed yesterday that an advertising campaign will be run on TV before, during and after the Rangers v Celtic match being shown live on Setanta specifically targeted to highlight a proven rise in complaints of domestic abuse centred around the Glasgow derby.

Electronic advertising hoardings around the perimeter of the pitch at Rangers ground Ibrox hosting the match will also carry the message: ‘There’s no excuse for domestic abuse’.

MSP Neil revealed that shameful domestic abuse attacks jumped by a staggering 88 per-cent to 231 cases on the last Old Firm matchday in March, sparking demands from police to the Scottish Government that ‘something has to be done.’

CAMPAIGN: Alex Neil, Communities Minister

And Mr Neil, unveiling a new report yesterday, admitted he worries for the wives and partners of drunken football yobs.

Evidence

He said: “We are doing extra this weekend around the Old Firm game because we have very clear evidence that around the game there is an increase in domestic abuse, particularly in the West coast.

“We are deliberately segmenting the message to men and women before and after the game. There’s absolutely nothing worse than for a woman to live in fear of her partner and we take a zero tolerance approach to violence against women, especially drunken violence.

“This is the 21st Century, Scotland is a modern nation and it is absolutely barbaric to engage in domestic abuse, which is one of the worst forms of violence in our society.”

Housing Minister Alex Neil MSP unveils new homes for Scottish war veterans

By Oliver Farrimond

NEW homes for Scotland’s war veterans were officially unveiled in Edinburgh yesterday by Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil.

The development features nine spacious flats for ex-servicemen and women, allowing them to live independently and near to local amenities in the Capital’s Gilmerton Road area.

The flats, funded jointly by the Scottish government, veterans’ charities and the Hillcrest Housing Association, will provide full living facilities, including a kitchen, bedroom, dining room and bathroom.

Re-adapting to a civilian lifestyle is often very challenging for war veterans, and it is hoped that the flats will provide a base for those looking for a fresh start.

Ex-Royal Navy serviceman Alex Menzies is moving into the flats next week, and said that the project was an important step for former soldiers looking to start again.