Leader expelled for ‘clip’ on Scout

A SCOUT leader has been struck off following a six-month investigation into what he described as a “clip on the arm” of a misbehaving boy.

Father-of-two John Knox was expelled from the organisation, with Scout bosses saying he had failed to comply with its code of practice.

But the retired BBC radio journalist said the lengthy investigation amounted to an “overreaction” by a “kangaroo court”.

Mr Knox, 67, from Liberton, Edinburgh, said he gave the 13-year-old “a

Scout leader John Knox denied the claim.

clip on the arm” during a camp discussion.

He said: “I hardly realised I had done it, so light was the touch.”

Mr Knox was accused of assault and he was suspended pending an investigation.

He was expelled after investigators said he had been “talked to” about a previous incident two years ago.

He denies any incident took place.

“I was absolutely gutted,” said Mr Knox.

A spokesman for the Scout Association explained the group’s decision.

He said: “Mr Knox failed to comply with our code of practice when working with young people.

“For this reason, Mr Knox was excluded from the organisation.”

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