Published: Thursday, 4th December, 2008 12:30
'Scumbag' school slur sparks fury
By Eric Baxter
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COMMENT FURY: Terry Loughran.
GREENOCK’S east end parents are outraged after a senior councillor branded their award-winning school a “scumbag” facility.
Labour councillor Terry Loughran, the education committee vice-convener, made the ill-judged remark about St Kenneth’s Primary after they won two prestigious national health promotion awards.
St Kenneth’s beat off competition from schools, health boards and other organisations all over the country, winning the ‘Health Provider of the Year’ category of the awards and being named overall ‘Champion of Champions’ for their impressive eating and exercise initiatives.
Speaking to a packed hall of pupils, teachers and parents at a school assembly, Councillor Loughran, who represents Gourock and is also a secondary school technical teacher himself, is said to have commented: “Who would have thought that a scumbag school like yours could win awards like this?”
Councillor Loughran, pictured left, today apologised for using the word “scumbag”.
He said: “I would like to apologise wholeheartedly to anybody who was offended by my attempt at a humorous statement at St Kenneth’s. In no way did I mean to belittle the school.
“I am extremely proud of St Kenneth’s and was delighted at the national recognition they received. That is why I went to see them so soon after they won the prize.
“What my clumsy attempt at humour did not get across was that St Kenneth’s operates in a very challenging social environment and to have won as they did shows just how excellent the school actually is.
“It was never my intention to offend anybody and I am deeply sorry that people have taken offence. I have spoken personally with the head teacher and look forward to working with and supporting this excellent school into the future.”
He added: “The remark was totally inappropriate. It slipped out before I knew I had even said it. I have apologised to the school.”
Asked if he would resign as a vice-convener or councillor, he said: “I will take advice from the Labour Group, but, in the context, I don’t believe it is a resigning matter.”
Everyone in the hall was said to be “gobsmacked” by Councillor Loughran’s inappropriate remarks, and some have now called for him to resign from his education post.
Council leader, Labour Councillor Stephen McCabe, today apologised for any offence that had been caused and said Councillor Loughran should have chosen his words more carefully. Asked if Mr Loughran should resign, Mr McCabe said: “No, I don’t think it’s a resigning offence. Terry has an interesting sense of humour. Being a teacher himself, I am sure he would have meant it in a humorous way and it has been misinterpreted. I’m sure he is sorry and would apologise.
“I’m sure he would not have meant in any way to denigrate this fantastic school. He has failed to get his point across and clearly caused offence.”
A council spokesman said: “It is not for the council to comment on what may or may not have been said by a councillor visiting the school.
“The Convener of the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee and the Corporate Director of Education and Social Care will visit St Kenneth’s on Monday to pass on their congratulations on their excellent achievements.
“Inverclyde Council is immensely proud of St Kenneth’s and what its pupils and staff have achieved and the national recognition that has brought.”
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