Tom Devine is groping in the dark.
A dozen years past the RC Church in England and Wales launched, 'Catholic Voices' - an organisation to tell the church's story in the media with clarity.
Scotland's Cardinal, Keith O'Brien was a supporter of Scottish nationalism and he wanted a specific Scottish Catholic voice in the media. Tom was part of the new enlightenment. John Haldane, James MacMillan, Ronnie Convery,......... etc became the approved voices for all debates, phone-ins, comments, ................ etc. Alex Salmond courted the RC vote and heartily approved. Cardinal O'Brien preached family values, the above named all chorused similarly.
Cardinal O'Brien was subject to claims of sexual intimidation from four priests, he entered a retreat in England and, never returned. The last four years of his life was spent in a church purchased house in Northumbria. He only returned to Scotland for his funeral. Tom, John, Ronnie, ........ etc all retreated from public comment. Tom decided not to tell the Cardinal O'Brien story with clarity.
Keith O'Brien used Tom Devine, BBC Scotland and the overtly ambitious James Cook used Tom Devine in the same way.