A previous complaint

A couple of years ago I complained to the BBC after Jim Traynor defended The Famine Song, saying that those "pious" people who complained about it were dangerous. Their response (below) takes a markedly different approach to the recent response on the "sectarian singing" at the cup final, and didn't come close to apologising for backing the worst song in Scottish football. In both cases they seem to be at odds with the Scottish courts which have explicitly found the Famine Song to be racist, and The Boys of the Old Brigade NOT to be sectarian.

I have said elsewhere that I don't think The Boys of the Old Brigade should be sung, but doesn't mean that it's sectarian, and I object to words being redefined. I can believe that if someone one has led a sheltered life they could believe that "sectarian" means "anything to do with Irish politics, or the Old Firm". However, they would be wrong (regardless of what they believe the "common usage" to be - people commonly refer to Britain and England interchangably - the BBC don't think affects the constitutional position of Scotland, do they?).

Had Rob McLean said "Some Celtic supporters have been singing offensive songs" I would think it was disproportionate to mention it at that game and no other, but I couldn't have argued with the factual accuracy. Instead, they are clearly in the wrong. When you're wrong you should apologise, instead of this ridiculous wriggling.

A question - the BBC are now saying only The Boys Of The Old Brigade is sectarian, and not The Soldiers Song. They are both about the same thing, and both have add-ons. The fact they are treating the two differently, I suspect because one is the Irish national anthem and that would cause a diplomatic row. So the differentiation is for political reasons... or are they now sectarian?

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Dear Mr McGuire

Thank you for your e-mail about 'Your Call With Jim Traynor'.

Firstly, I apologise for the delay in our reply. We know our correspondents
appreciate a quick response, and it is a matter of regret to us that you
have had to wait for so long on this occasion.

The producer of the programme has requested I forward the following
statement with regards to your complaint:

"Jim Traynor said that he did not know the song and that he was only
familiar with a small section of it, which he clearly said was offensive
and insensitive. The definition of what constitutes 'racist' is more often
than not a legal one. With hindsight, Jim should not have opined, on air,
as to the nature of the song, given his lack of knowledge of it.

What is unquestionable is that the song is offensive to the vast majority
of our audience. In the context of a fast-moving programme, please be
assured that Jim Traynor did not intend in any sense to offend any of his
listeners."

I hope this helps to clarify the situation however I appreciate that you
may continue to hold a different view.

I can assure you that I've registered your complaint on our audience log.
This is a daily report of audience feedback that's circulated to many BBC
staff, including members of the BBC Executive Board, channel controllers
and other senior managers.

Thanks for taking the trouble to contact us with your concerns.

Regards

James Kelly
BBC Complaints
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