malcolm offord has denied being homophobic after apologising for a joke about George Michael that he made at a London Scottish rugby club Burns Night event in 2018; he says he “instantly regretted” the remark and made a donation to an LGBT organisation. The remark, made while he was serving as chairman at the club, has been published in full by a third party and has prompted strong criticism from an attendee and from a senior Scottish official. Offord has described the comment as “a clumsy mistake” and says he took responsibility and acted to make amends.
What happened and what was said
The joke was delivered during a speech at the London Scottish rugby club in 2018, while Offord was serving as chairman. An extended joke about Fadi Fawaz, the partner of the late George Michael, was set out in a published account that said the gist involved taking ashes to a curry house and included the line: “I want to feel him oozing out of my arse one last time. ” The published account notes the material was not provided word-for-word but that the gist was confirmed with representatives linked to the event.
Ian Lewer, 41, from Surrey, who was at the speech with his wife, described the speech as “crude, bad taste and insulting. ” He added: “At the time I thought it pretty awful and indeed that was the feeling in the room. ” Lewer told investigators the performance included clips of songs and what he called “questionable dancing, ” and that the effect on the audience was one of shock: “It was so shocking I’ve not forgotten it. “
Malcolm Offord apology and defence
Malcolm Offord has issued a public apology for the remark and confirmed he made an “inappropriate joke. ” He said: “I instantly regretted it and recognised that it was totally inappropriate and took responsibility for what I had said. ” He added: “This was a clumsy mistake that I immediately acknowledged and acted upon. I am not homophobic. “
Offord has further stated that he made a donation to an LGBT organisation following the incident. He framed his response in terms of personal accountability: “I am someone who accepts accountability, owns my actions, and makes amends where needed. That is who I am. “
Reactions from political figures have been blunt. Angus Robertson, Scottish Constitution Secretary, said Offord was “not fit for public office. ” The remark from Robertson escalates the political pressure on Offord, who was named as his party’s leader in Scotland earlier this year and who was inducted into the rugby club’s hall of fame in May 2023.
Immediate fallout and next steps
The published account and witness statements have prompted calls for answers and for party action; Offord is facing calls to resign over the joke. The leader has apologised and described his own remedial steps, including a donation and a public acknowledgement of error. Beyond the apology and the donation he says he made, the available material does not set out any formal disciplinary measures by his party or by other institutions.
Observers and affected parties will be watching for any formal response from party officials and for any further comment from Offord. The matter already includes direct witness denunciations and a senior official’s declaration that he is “not fit for public office, ” signaling that the issue could have immediate political consequences.
In closing, malcolm offord has apologised and denied homophobia while accepting responsibility for the 2018 remark; the published account, witness testimony and official criticism mean the story is likely to feed ongoing scrutiny of his fitness for leadership and any responses the party may announce next.
