When Cardinal Keith O’Brien was in Stornoway we met up. We got on well but did not agree on everything. However, he did agree to do a radio interview. I had complimentary letters about that broadcast.  Tonight, this statement came on his behalf from the Scottish Catholic Church:

“In recent days certain allegations which have been made against me have become public. Initially, their anonymous and non-specific nature led me to contest them. However, I wish to take this opportunity to admit that there have been times that my sexual conduct has fallen below the standards expected of me as a priest, archbishop and cardinal.

“To those I have offended, I apologise and ask forgiveness. To the Catholic Church and people of Scotland, I also apologise. I will now spend the rest of my life in retirement. I will play no further part in the public life of the Catholic Church in Scotland.”

I wish to take this opportunity to confirm that there have been times that his disgusting homophobia fell below the standards expected of Cardinal O’Brien as a so-called Christian.

This is proof, yet again, that the very worst religion-inspired homophobia comes from absolute hypocrites. Many of his two-faced kind creep in and out of island pews each sabbath. Somehow I do not think the cardinal will be the last high-profile Scottish tub-thumper to be brought down by the facts and their own deeply-ingrained hypocrisy.