Vetting failed to spot SNP poster girl’s vile tweets
A VETTING process failed to spot offensive online messages posted by comedian Janey Godley before she was appointed to front a Scottish Government coronavirus advert.
The Government has confirmed that checks were carried out before the comedian was awarded the £12,000 advert role – but they only reviewed posts since the start of the pandemic.
It said the review of past messages ‘highlighted some profanities and very directly worded content’ but insisted there was nothing reported to the Government which suggested Miss Godley should not appear in the campaign.
The Government ditched the ‘stop the spread’ adverts after a series of Miss Godley’s comments about black performers were exposed. It revealed details of the review in response to a freedom of information (FOI) request.
Scottish Conservative Covid recovery spokesman Murdo Fraser said: ‘This FOI highlights that the SNP Government’s vetting procedure is not fit for purpose.
‘It is incredible that anyone vetting Janey Godley’s past socialmedia comments could conclude she was fit to front a Scottish Government public health campaign.
‘Even the most cursory of probes ought to have raised red flags, given the number of highly offensive messages she had posted.
‘It is also ridiculous that the vetafter ting period only covered the period since the pandemic started.’
After adverts fronted by Miss Godley were launched by the Government, she was revealed to have made a number of comments about black people on social media, including calling former X Factor judge Kelly Rowland ‘the black horse from USA’.
She also posted a tweet in 2010 about pop star Justin Bieber, who had just produced an album featuring several black musicians. She wrote: ‘They need to stop leaving the wee boy with big black fat rappers at parties... who is looking that child?’ After being asked in a FOI request for a copy of all selection and vetting processes undertaken, the Government yesterday published a response which said all matters relating to casting were handled through its appointed creative services agency and its production company.
It said Miss Godley was asked as part of her contract with the creative services agency to ‘disclose any reason that may bring the campaign or organisation into disrepute’.
According to the Government response, Miss Godley’s agent signed the contract, ‘declaring there was nothing in her past of concern’.
It went on: ‘A review was undertaken by the creative services agency of Miss Godley’s social media activity. While this highlighted some profanities and very directly worded content there were no findings reported to the Scottish Government in relation to the vetting process which led us to conclude Miss Godley should not be used as part of the campaign.’
Miss Godley issued an apology when the social media posts were revealed, stating: ‘I thought being an outspoken comedian meant I could get away with saying anything, but that’s completely wrong.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Since this issue came to light, we have put in place a more robust vetting procedure to ensure it cannot arise again.’
‘Not fit for purpose’