Mr Loophole: We Need to See Justice Is Done

By Sam Walker, David Wynn and Paul Thornton
The Scottish Sun
March 5, 2013

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/4825321/Top-lawyer-fears-Cardinal-OBrien-cover-up.html

Fears ... Nick Freeman

A CELEBRITY lawyer last night insisted “justice must be seen to be done” as he urged cops to probe shamed Cardinal Keith O’Brien.

Top brief Nick Freeman told how he made a complaint to Lothian and Borders Police after the axed Scots Catholic leader sensationally admitted sexual misconduct with priests.

Mr Freeman accused the Catholic Church of attempting a cover-up by insisting on an internal investigation.

And he said: “Justice needs to be seen to be done. The Church has a moral and legal obligation to co-operate with police.

“There should be a full criminal investigation. We don’t know who else was involved — or who decided to cover it up. They are just as culpable as the cardinal.”

Freeman made his name helping a string of celebrity clients beat driving raps — including Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and TV comic Jimmy Carr.

O’Brien, 74, was axed by the Pope last week over allegations of “drunken fumblings” made by three priests and an ex-cleric.

On Sunday, he said in a statement: “My sexual conduct has fallen below the standards expected of me.”

Anti-abuse campaigners yesterday called for a review of church sex cases handled by O’Brien, claiming his own misconduct could have skewed his judgments.

And his temporary successor, Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, told a a Glasgow congregation: “There is little doubt the credibility and moral authority of the Catholic Church in Scotland has been dealt a serious blow.”

Last night a Lothian and Borders Police spokeswoman said: “We have received an email from Nick Freeman — but there was nothing in it we can treat as a complaint.”

Contact: sam.walker@the-sun.co.uk