mediawatchwatch.org.uk

Scotland’s leading QC, Donald Findlay, faces a disciplinary hearing for making a Pope joke during an after-dinner speech.

The Faculty of Advocates received complaints about Findlay’s behaviour at a Glasgow Rangers social club, where he jokingly asked, while wafting away smoke, “Fucks sake, has another Pope died?”. He also made a joke about a nun and a turnip.

Retired headmaster Hugh Lynch was not at the gathering, but was so outraged by the remark as reported (inaccurately) in a newspaper that he complained to the Faculty, branding Findlay an “uncouth moron” and accusing him of inciting sectarianism.

He admits he tells these filthy jokes and uses foul and abusive language in speaking engagements… clearly he possesses a deep-rooted hatred of all things Catholic

Findlay is an atheist. He also made a joke about Rev Ian Paisley, who is not a Catholic.

UPDATE: (June 24) Senior Catholic QCs have written a letter in support of Findlay:

Whilst we are all confronted daily with the manifestations of prejudice and intolerance, we confirm, without reservation, that we have no doubt whatsoever that Donald is a man without prejudice towards anyone on the basis of race, colour, creed or class in his dealings both professionally and privately.

“To the contrary, he is a man who represents his clients properly and equally, not withstanding their background or beliefs, and who gives of his time privately on that same basis of equality

UPDATE: (July 3) He was cleared. The complaining Mr Lynch is “deeply disappointed”.