By Paul Drury
Daily Record
July 4, 2011
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2011/07/04/pervert-priest-forced-to-quit-top-refugee-charity-following-sex-scandals-86908-23246229/
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A CATHOLIC priest has quit the helm of Scotland's leading charity for asylum seekers after being exposed as a convicted sex offender.
Father David Brown featured in a sex scandal involving a former topless model.
Now he has stepped down as vice chairman of Y People, who are are paid s15million a year by the Home Office to look after 2000 vulnerable refugees.
The families from all over the world are mainly accommodated at the Red Road flats in the north of Glasgow to await decisions on their request to stay in Britain.
Roman Catholic priest Brown was 48 when he was convicted of indecently assaulting his housekeeper, Maria McBride, by climbing into her bed and trying to fondle her.
He was also convicted of trying to abuse a friend of hers who stayed a night in the chapel house at St Thomas's Church in Riddrie.
Another charge that he touched a woman's breasts was found not proven.
The case at Glasgow Sheriff Court attracted widespread publicity and Maria was paid s12,000 by a newspaper after she asked PR guru Max Clifford for help.
The attractive brunette set tongues wagging when she began working for Brown, who she had known since she was eight.
Parishioners often saw her leaving the priest's home dressed in short skirts and stiletto heels - but she said she was repelled by his increasing sexual advances, which happened when he had been drinking.
At Brown's trial in September 1999, Sheriff Kenneth Maciver sparked anger when he admonished the pervert after hearing he had not been involved in "active ministry" for a year.
Brown was soon back at a different parish on the other side of the city - and it has now emerged he has been serving as vice-chairman of Y People.
A charity insider said: "The organisation say on their website that they only look after vulnerable people. Why then let a convicted sex offender occupy one of the highest positions in the charity?
"There are young women and children at the Red Road flats. How many of them will be aware of Father Brown's seedy background?"
Brown is now parish priest at All Saints Church in Barmulloch, a stone's throw from the Red Road. Asked for comment on Friday, he said: "I have nothing to say to you."
But yesterday, Y People chief executive Joe Connolly said: "David Brown has informed us of his intention to stand down. He has taken this decision because he feels it is in the best interests of the organisation.
"Our board are subject to standard disclosure checks, although it is important to stress that none of them have any individual direct contact with service users."
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