Politicians heap pressure on Clyde FC to suspend rapist striker David Goodwillie

LEADING figures in sport and politics united yesterday to demand Clyde FC suspend rapist striker David Goodwillie.

Pressure was heaped on the football club after Goodwillie’s victim, Denise Clair, branded them shameful for continuing to play him despite judges throwing out his appeal.

Politicians from all sides, leaders in women’s sport and campaigners against sexual violence echoed her criticism and said the player, who has refused to offer an apology or a word of regret, should have no place at the club.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon urged Clyde to “demonstrate zero tolerance towards sexual violence.”

She warned Clyde to rethink and added: “If the board of male directors continues to play a rapist who has failed to take proper responsibility for what he did, the public will rightly question their judgement and values.

“Rape and sexual violence dehumanises women and the board of Clyde must listen to survivors and charities telling them to end this toxic arrangement.”

Alison Thewliss, SNP MP, said: “The club ought to be trying to be a family-friendly club, supporting good behaviour.

“Football, players are in a position of influence and they should be exemplifying the very best of behaviour.

“It’s a very poor decision by the club to continue playing him, and it is very disappointing to see them persisting with that.”

Annie Wells, Scottish Conservatives equality spokeswoman has also called on prosecutors to review the case, which was dropped by former Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland after the men were accused of raping Denise in January 2011.

Ms Wells said: “If there are legal avenues open, I would support looking at ways in which this case could be revisited by the Crown.”

When prosecutors dropped the case, Denise sued Goodwillie and fellow footballer David Robertson when Lord Armstrong ruled: “Both defenders took advantage of the pursuer when she was vulnerable…they each raped her.”

Last week, Denise said: “They call themselves a family club but what kind of family is that? One without daughters?”

“The Clyde directors are delighted because they have got a good player on the cheap but he’s only cheap because he’s a rapist.

“If it’s all about money for them, what price do they put on their reputation?”

In the first civil case of its kind, last January, former prison service education officer Denise, was awarded £100,000 in damages after the Court of Session ruled she was raped by Goodwillie and former team-mate Robertson who has since retired.

The club has faced mounting criticism after three appeal court judges upheld Lord Armstrong’s original civil court ruling that Goodwillie raped and abandoned Denise in an empty house in Bathgate.

SNP MSP and Clyde fan John Mason, who is refusing to go to games while they play Goodwillie, said he understands the club are “struggling” and the “board’s and fans desire to improve the situation by any means”.

But he added: “Sometimes individuals and organisations need to put the wider good before their own immediate interests.”

Sandy Brindley of Rape Crisis Scotland hit out: “All people need to be held to account for their actions irrespective of whether they are good at kicking a ball.”

Denise refused to accept an out of court settlement from Goodwillie and Robertson insisting she wanted a court to examine the case. She was driven to the brink of suicide as she battled for justice for seven years, after prosecutors dropped criminal charges against Goodwillie in the midst of his £2million transfer to Blackburn Rovers.

Clyde signed Goodwillie in March and extended his contract in the summer.

The directors refused to defend their position yesterday after the club’s match at Peterhead was cancelled because of the weather.

When we asked chairman Norrie Innes last week if he intended dismissing Goodwillie, he asked: “For what?”