THERE have been further calls for shamed rugby star Stuart Hogg to be stripped of his MBE.
The former Scotland captain, 32, dodged jail over a shocking domestic abuse campaign against his wife Gillian, 38.
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Stuart Hogg was spared jail earlier this monthCredit: Crispin Rodwell
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He continues to play top level rugby in France with MontpellierCredit: AFP
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Stephen Flynn called for Hogg to be stripped of his MBE in the House of CommonsCredit: PA
Hogg was given just a year’s supervision by a sheriff.
He admitted to bombarding Gillian with hundreds of messages over a five-year period.
Hogg’s charge and subsequent conviction sparked calls for him to hand back his MBE.
He was awarded the gong as part of the 2024 New Year’s honours list for services to rugby union.
Calls for him to be stripped of the honour have intensified since his conviction and pressure is building.
Last week, First Minister John Swinney hit out at Hogg’s behaviour and said it was “reasonable and understandable” to call for the shamed star’s MBE to be revoked.
Mr Swinney was quizzed on the situation after the SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn posted online that Hogg “should be stripped of his MBE.”
And now Mr Flynn, MP for Aberdeen South, has raised the matter in the House of Commons.
He said: “In the 2024 New Year Honours List, Stuart Hogg was awarded an MBE. Since then, he has been charged, he has been convicted, and he has been sentenced for domestic abuse.
“Does the Leader of the House and Lord President of the Council agree that he should be stripped of that state honour?”
Disgraced Scotland rugby legend Stuart Hogg sentenced after twisted five-year domestic abuse campaign against wife
In response, the Leader of the House of Commons Lucy Powell MP accepted that there were serious doubts over “whether this honour should continue.”
She responded: “Let’s just be clear that domestic abuse is abhorrent, we condemn it, and it should not be something that is seen to be or is indeed rewarded by any of us.
“It’s completely understandable and appropriate that he (Mr Flynn) and others should raise questions about whether this honour should continue.
“He will know that I can’t comment on individual honours themselves, however, recommendations to remove honours are considered by the Forfeiture Committee, and that’s something he might want to raise with them.”
Domestic abuse survivor Carolyn Quinn also previously joined the calls for Hogg to be stripped of the honour.
She said: “I would encourage anyone, not just abuse survivors, to support calls for Hogg’s MBE to be taken off him.
How you can get help
Women’s Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
Always keep your phone nearby.Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.If you are in danger, call 999.Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – [email protected].
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
“It’s important that we protect future generations by making it clear this behaviour is unacceptable.”
Domestic abuse expert Dr Mairead Tagg added: “Why are we honouring people who hurt women?
Read more on the Scottish Sun
We can’t elevate people who behave in a criminal and disreputable manner.
“The public need to push the Government on this.”
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The post Pressure builds for shamed rugby star Stuart Hogg to be stripped of MBE as senior MP raises calls for action in Commons first appeared on Rugby 247.
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Author : rugby-247
Publish date : 2025-01-16 20:34:28
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