Ruth Gilfillan was booted down three ranks over Rangers 'banter' claim

[ian1964 10,721]

Celtic birthday cake bigotry row cop demoted over Rangers 'banter' claim.

 

High-flying Ruth Gilfillan was booted down three ranks with fellow officers split over her treatment.

 

A senior detective at the centre of a religious bigotry row has been demoted to constable after an inquiry.

 

Detective Chief Inspector Ruth Gilfillan was one of Police Scotland’s most highly rated rising stars at the time of the incident in August 2015.

 

But after a colleague complained about a sectarian remark, she has lost three ranks and faces a massive financial penalty.Friends say that she has been “absolutely devastated” by the demotion ruling.

 

At the time of the incident, mother-of-four Gilfillan was head of Police Scotland’s human trafficking unit. The 45-year-old law and politics graduate will see her salary plummet from £55,000 a year to £38,000.

 

And it means she could lose as much as £100,000 in future pension payments when she retires. The row erupted after one of a group of colleagues in her company had a Celtic birthday cake.

 

Gilfillan exchanged banter about refusing to eat the detective’s cake.

 

But she was also accused of making a joke about children being at risk of abuse in Catholic schools. She was informed of the demotion decision at a disciplinary hearing earlier this month.

 

Gilfillan refused to comment but a friend said: “She is devastated by the decision and is struggling to come to terms with it.“She understands that what she said was wrong and she is extremely apologetic.“She wanted to say sorry in person to her fellow officer at the outset but was advised not to by the people carrying out the investigation.

 

“The remark that she made was wrong but Ruth and the majority of her colleagues believe the punishment was excessive. “There is also disquiet about the way the investigation was carried out, with the deliberation taking just over an hour.”

 

Gilfillan initially faced a criminal charge but that was dropped and she did not appear in court.It is understood the charge against her at the disciplinary hearing was conduct unbecoming of a police officer. The Scottish Police Federation said yesterday that they plan to appeal the decision by senior officers to demote her.

 

“Ruth Gilfillan is highly respected as a detective by people she has worked with from all religious backgrounds. She is almost universally popular.

 

The colleague who made the complaint has been relocated following a backlash from other officers.

 

Another source said: “It is a really bad case and has caused a real split among a group of officers who were very close.

 

“The person who made the complaint has suffered as well in career terms. “It is understandable that a complaint was made. But the feeling is that it could have been handled better. “Ruth is a big Rangers fan and everyone in the force is aware of this.“Ruth apologised and was deeply sorry.“She regularly worked 80 hours a week and was involved in numerous murder inquiries. “This is an officer who has been dedicated to her job.

 

“She accepts that what she said was wrong but her punishment is too severe.”

 

Gilfillan led a team of officers who targeted prostitution and modern-day slavery and has been involved in operations against firms and individuals who are suspected of using smuggled workers.

 

While at the helm, she changed how the force dealt with people trafficking and made Police Scotland proactively identify victims while targeting organised crime groups.

 

She also introduced a policy that women working in the sex industry were no longer to be automatically arrested.

 

She has been ordered out of the elite Scottish Crime Campus in Gartcosh, Lanarkshire, and is thought to be performing administrative duties at the force’s HQ in Glasgow’s Dalmarnock.

 

Another source said: “Ruth made a difference while she was a detective. “She worked hard and was always willing to learn. Ruth is a tough cop and had her run-ins with other officers over the years.”

 

Police Scotland have repeatedly stated their determination to tackle sectarian abuse and offensive behaviour.

 

A Crown Office spokesman said yesterday: “The procurator fiscal received a report concerning a 43-year-old woman in relation to an alleged incident on August 20, 2015.

 

“After careful consideration of all of the available evidence, Crown counsel instructed that there was insufficient evidence in law to take criminal proceedings in the case.”

 

It is understood that after prosecution was ruled out, the Crown Office then referred the case back to senior officers at Police Scotland for possible disciplinary action.

 

David Kennedy, deputy general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, said yesterday: “The Scottish Police Federation will be appealing the decision on behalf of Constable Ruth Gilfillan.”

 

It is understood that Gilfillan’s appeal will be heard by an assistant chief constable within the next 60 days. If the decision is upheld, she can then take her challenge against the demotion to the police appeals tribunal.

 

Police Scotland said last night: “This matter remains a live internal conduct process and as such, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

 

The allegations against Gilfillan were investigated by the Police Scotland Professional Standards Unit (PSU). They are responsible for probing allegations of misconduct by police officers and support staff.

 

The PSU also investigate complaints made by the public about officers and handle cases where potential criminal behaviour has already been established.

 

Their role is different from that of the controversial former Counter Corruption Unit, now called the Anti-Corruption Unit.

 

They investigate allegations against officers and police staff suspected of being involved in criminal behaviour or organised crime.

 

After the allegation of sectarianism was made against Gilfillan, all witnesses to the alleged remarks were interviewed.

[RANGERRAB 3,654]

Sounds so similar to the Hugh Dallas incident at the SFA when he lost his job as referees supervisor & got replaced by somebody called John Fleming

 

There are now so many people in high public office in Scotland who think they are entitled to adopt a zero tolerance approach to anyone who makes any sort of remark about the RC church or any other institution with dubious baggage.

 

This will not end well.

[Bill 13,717]

Catholicism and Islam; two cheeks of the same arse. How much better would the world be without either of these intensely corrupt cults?

Edited November 19, 2017 by Bill

[trublusince1982 243]

fail to see the sectarian part. What has religion got to do with celtic officials and representatives having a history of sexual abuse?

[alexscottislegend 2,320]

Catholicism and Islam; two cheeks of the same area. How much better would the world be without either of these intensely corrupt cults?

 

No. You cannot blame Islam for the actions of crazed fundamentalists. Do you actually know any muslims? And you cannot blame catholicism for the Spanish Inquisition. It is too simplistic to blame the institutions as evil exists in all spheres. I'm an ex-teacher - the fact that paedophiles have infiltrated the profession does not invalidate the profession.

[BEARGER 1,830]

fail to see the sectarian part. What has religion got to do with celtic officials and representatives having a history of sexual abuse?

 

‘But she was also accused of making a joke about children being at risk of abuse in Catholic schools. She was informed of the demotion decision at a disciplinary hearing earlier this month. ‘

[cooponthewing 1,139]

‘But she was also accused of making a joke about children being at risk of abuse in Catholic schools. She was informed of the demotion decision at a disciplinary hearing earlier this month. ‘

 

The tragic thing is that if it was not said in humour they could have done nothing. There is evidence to support the claim. By the looks of it, she was stitched up by the usual “religious sect mafia” for daring to poke fun at their religions crimes.

Edited November 19, 2017 by cooponthewing

[Gonzo79 15,292]

And some Bears are on this lot's side.

 

Children ARE at risk with priests. Just read the news or watch Spotlight. RC schools divide children and are the epitomy of sectarianism.

[Franc Ergs 1,649]

".It is understood the charge against her at the disciplinary hearing was conduct unbecoming of a police officer"

 

Yes, then surely the same could be said of the "colleague" that produced the celtic cake in the first place.

[RANGERRAB 3,654]

A few years ago there was an Irish comedian called Dave Allen who absolutely ridiculed the RCchurch.

 

I wonder if these people Ruth Gilfillan offended would be as offended by him. I suspect they wouldn't because they seek to criminalise anyone associated with Rangers who makes the slightest remark against their so-called beliefs