BAN THE PLATES OF HATE
ANGER AFTER ONLINE AD
BY STUART MACDONALD THE CATHOLIC Church yesterday called for a ban on “sectarian” licence plates after one bearing the letters FTP went on sale.
The reg S6 FTP was advertised on Gumtree by a seller in Bearsden, near Glasgow, for about £1000.
The ad – since removed – suggested it would appeal to Rangers fans.
It added that the plate was originally on a supporters’ minibus.
FTP is an abbreviation for F*** the Pope and the ad says the beginning of the plate resembles the initials of Rangers manager Steven Gerrard.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency said they withheld registrations only where “they are likely to cause offence or embarrassment to the general population”.
Their spokesman added: “The numbers in question were not deemed unsuitable for release.”
But a spokesman for the Catholic Church said: “The letters FTP scrawled on walls, chanted in public or shown on registration plates is offensive and intended as such.
“The DVLA should review its position since the letters concerned clearly meet the criteria they have set (of unsuitability).”
A spokesman for Call it Out, who campaign against anti-Catholic and anti-Irish hate crime, said: “It is clear from the sale of a number plate bearing these three letters that both seller and buyer recognise the value they have for those who wish to showcase their intolerance in this fashion.”