Orange Order grand master admits he was a '90-minute bigot'

Andrew Murray said he sang the Billy Boys song when he was young but grew up to understand "right from wrong"

The head of the Orange Lodge of Scotland has admitted to being a "90-minute bigot" in the past by singing a sectarian song at football matches.

Andrew Murray, the Orange Order's Grand Master, told the BBC's Scotcast podcast that he previously sang 'The Billy Boys' at Rangers matches but would "absolutely not" take part now.

The song includes the line "we're up to our knees in Fenian blood, surrender or you'll die".

He said: "I think you get caught up in the situation, as a supporter in the heat of the moment."

He added: "I think a lot of people call it 90-minute bigot or something like that. You learn from your lessons I think, you grow up quite quickly.

"You grow up from that position and understand right from wrong. And I think you then understand."

The Orange Order's most significant celebration is the annual July 12th parades

Speaking about the song being sung at Rangers games, Mr Murray said: "I'm not making any excuses here at all, but it's not as widely sung now as it used to be."

He added that neither he, nor the Orange Order, could control the situation.

"If someone's going to do it, they're going to sing it," he said.

"Some of these tunes that the bands play are hymns, you know, and words are changed on it. So trying to keep up with that is difficult."

When asked if he sang the Billy Boys song, Mr Murray said: "Absolutely not".

But when asked if he had sung it in the past he replied: "Previously, probably yes. I think, as a supporter in the heat of the moment."

Mr Murray told the podcast he wanted his organisation to "modernise" and criticised First Minister John Swinney for refusing to personally engage with the Orange Order, claiming his refusal was because of its Unionist beliefs.

He said: "He sees the fact that he may turn off his own voters if he's dialoguing at the table with the Orange Order - and also is there any opportunity for him there to gain any support?"

Swinney said it was "appropriate" for the Scottish government to engage through Community Safety Minister Siobhain Brown.

In July, police launched an investigation after several Orange Order marchers were hit by pellets during a procession though Glasgow city centre.

Following a meeting with government officials in Edinburgh, Mr Murray claimed "silence" from the first minister was giving a "green light" to attacks on Protestant groups.

Swinney later described acts of violence against the Orange Order as "completely and utterly unacceptable".

In the podcast, Mr Murray said the order did a lot of good in the community such as fundraising and donating a lot of money to charity.

"We are open to dialogue," he said: "We are open to sitting down with key stakeholders across faith groups, community groups - but still nothing from John Swinney.

The first minister told BBC Scotland: "I want to make sure that all groups in society are able to live peacefully within our country and that all groups are respected.

"The Orange Order have asked for engagement with the Scottish government and they've had that with my community safety minister on the issues that are involved.

"My message to every group in society is that they've got a part in our society and that we all have to work collectively and collaboratively to live comfortably and safely, side by side in Scotland today."

When asked if he would meet the Orange Order personally, Swinney said he was satisfied that members were meeting his ministers which he said was "appropriate".

What is the Orange Order?

The Orange Order is the oldest and biggest Protestant fraternity in Scotland.

Formed in Ulster in 1795 by Ulster Protestants, many of whom had Scottish roots, it was brought to Scotland in 1798 by soldiers returning from service in Ulster.

Its membership was swelled by large numbers of Ulster Protestant immigrants.

Its name is a tribute to William of Orange, who was born Prince of Orange in the Netherlands and who became King William III of England after overthrowing the Catholic King James II in the 1688 Glorious Revolution.

The group commemorates the victories of William of Orange, most notably the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, where his Protestant forces defeated the Catholic army of James II.

The most significant celebration is the annual July 12th parades.

The marches have, at times, been accused of being sectarian in nature, with some traditional routes passing through Catholic areas, leading to tension and conflict.