Heart-ache: Scotland’s greatest hero a fraud?
posted at 9:31 pm on March 17, 2008 by Allahpundit
“Say it ain’t so, Joe!” “I’m afraid it is, kid.”
Is it?
A baggage handler honoured for his role in stopping the failed bomb attack on Glasgow airport has been branded “a fake” who grossly exaggerated his role in thwarting the perpetrators…
Alex McIlveen, who tore a tendon in his foot whilst kicking one of the suspects, accused Mr Smeaton of being “a fake”.
He said: “John Smeaton is not telling the whole truth. When it came to tackling the bombers, he didn’t land a blow.
“The only reason John Smeaton got so much attention is because of what he said afterwards about Glasgow not tolerating terrorists.”
“He has turned the whole of the Glasgow bombing attempt into the John Smeaton show.”
Smeaton denies it. Exit question: Even if he turns out to be a fake … it doesn’t really matter, does it? Click the image to watch.
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In the larger scheme of things it doesn’t matter but I’d find it profoundly demoralising and a lot of other people would too.
aengus on March 17, 2008 at 9:35 PM
Probably tough to prove one way or another.
The_Freeze on March 17, 2008 at 9:36 PM
It doesn’t really matter to me. Sounds like sour grapes on the part of those that were not recognized to their liking.
d1carter on March 17, 2008 at 9:37 PM
I think people who fake their way into herodom should have a very public downfall….not a “retraction” story on page 19. Especially if that person robbed the real heroes of their justly deserved praise.
HawaiiLwyr on March 17, 2008 at 9:37 PM
William Wallace was a fraud? ;-)
Ed Morrissey on March 17, 2008 at 9:38 PM
Sour grapes, promoted by some Irish guy on this St. Paddys day. I refuse to belive it. Smeaton Rocks!!!!
conservnut on March 17, 2008 at 9:39 PM
He seems to be very willing and anxious for people to see the tape.
Here’s the part that’s suspicious to me:
It sounds like these accusations only came out once he received the honor, but the others were denied. Jealousy?
amerpundit on March 17, 2008 at 9:41 PM
Ok, someone has to say it…..
If it’s not Scottish..IT’S CRAP!!!!
conservnut on March 17, 2008 at 9:42 PM
Ed Morrissey on March 17, 2008 at 9:38 PM
Heh, John Smeaton will have his own monument soon in Glasgow, not another tower in Stirling.
d1carter on March 17, 2008 at 9:42 PM
I ain’t buying it.
Spirit of 1776 on March 17, 2008 at 9:44 PM
MKH may disagree with that.
F15Mech on March 17, 2008 at 9:45 PM
Completely off-topic, apologies. But, as I’m some of us have seen on the DRUDGE REPORT:
Major Political Bombshell on its way! NY Daily News!
Any guesses? I think maybe something to do with McCain/Iseman.
The_Freeze on March 17, 2008 at 9:50 PM
But he still tackled the guy right?
AbaddonsReign on March 17, 2008 at 9:50 PM
Just the latest sex scandle from the NY gov’s office
conservnut on March 17, 2008 at 9:57 PM
He owes me a beer!!!
knat on March 17, 2008 at 9:57 PM
Totally lame.
The Telegraph story, that is. What, almost a YEAR after the fact they’re re-writing history based on some recent grousing by somebody who didn’t get his medal? Actually, that guy’s quotes didn’t seem that bad; but the Telegraph article was total crap.
As for Smeaton himself, he’s still exactly as cool as he ever was. Of course if it turned out he lied about something, that would change. But there’s no reason to believe that. And so, for now and for the foreseeable future, it’s the Telegraph writers and editors who deserve the scarlet “L” – for LOSERS – stamped on their foreheads.
logis on March 17, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Just read the article. Pales in comparison to the breathless endeavors of Client 9. I don’t think this hurts him at all.
The_Freeze on March 17, 2008 at 10:05 PM
You remember Patterson, who was just sworn in to replace Spitzer? Yeah…Hours after the ceremony, he and his wife admit to having had extramarital affairs.
amerpundit on March 17, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Anyone else notice how the BBC YouTube video referred to an “alleged” terrorist attack?
Isn’t “foiled” the correct word here?
Damian G. on March 17, 2008 at 10:07 PM
It’s gone too far now. Smeato will always be remembered ‘we’ll set aboot ye’, and a little dissent in the ranks won’t change that. One of the micro-eloquent but long remembered catch phrases of our times, made possible courtesy of the internet. Even if it turns out he did exaggerate a wee bit, I’d still buy the guy a pint just because of the ‘tude he projected on that day when he was interviewed. Plus, he honestly seems to be a really decent guy.
AUINSC on March 17, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Of Course it matters.
It’s like the British chef who lost his TV show because he didn’t cook for Bush and the Queen as he claimed. Turns out he was a Janitor in a Garbage Collection company.
I think anybody who tries to prevent a terrorist attack and lies about his credentials or is not qualified to do so, must not approach any terrorist.
In other news, Hussein Barack announced today, in a major speech on foreign policy, that if Iran invades Israel, he will pull out the U.S. troops from Afghanistan. When asked about his plans to deploy the Marines in the North Pole, he replied: “It is time for Change.”
Indy Conservative on March 17, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Don’t tell MKH.
peacenprosperity on March 17, 2008 at 10:16 PM
If he played a role, then he played a role and here’s lifting a frothy one to you sir. Aren’t we always hearing it’s not the size that matters?
Hog Wild on March 17, 2008 at 10:21 PM
I wholeheartedly believed it was going to be a debunking of William Wallace.
emailnuevo on March 17, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Let’s see the CCTV vid and then use that to settle it.
Tim Burton on March 17, 2008 at 10:29 PM
He was willing to go towards danger rather than away from it, so whether or not he landed a flying dropkick or The People’s Elbow he deserves respect.
joewm315 on March 17, 2008 at 10:35 PM
UUUmmm,I’m kidding but isn’t this a grand conspiracy
hatched by those Lapracauns and gnomes to cause havoc
on St.Patricks Day by setting up some bitter Scotts.
(Absolute no disrespect to Scotland,or the Scottish,
there I think I covered my rear from reprisal!)
canopfor on March 17, 2008 at 10:49 PM
The way I recall it, it was common knowledge from the get-go that he didn’t do as much as others, and it was known that the one who did the most damage was the guy who injured his foot kicking the terrorist in the nuts.
What Smeaton was always known for was the defiant, contrarian swagger he sported in the aftermath that seemed to cut against the grain of majority European opinion.
Mark V. on March 17, 2008 at 10:49 PM
How do you find this stuff so fast? The video only has 64 views!
Illyahkuryahkin on March 17, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Not to me, I wasn’t there, but if he was in a local pub, I’d buy him a draught……
What matters is the terrorist know that they might come up against a soccer loving, head bashing, not in my country patriot,
…….. kinda like what the majority of Americans feel, but we are Football loving, Cage Matched mixed martial arts qualified, range qualified, hard core familiy loving, do you really want to see me angry people who’s taxes feed the world kinda people?
They just don’t get it……… but then again, maybe that’s just me and my friends.
Either way, he was there, I wasn’t, and he had the balls to take action, whatever it was.
Anyone else with a story, then step on up…..
Seven Percent Solution on March 17, 2008 at 10:56 PM
That’s how I remember it too, in fact, I’m pretty sure he mentioned the other guys doing their part. And if he felt pride in the part he played, enough to coin that great phrase, well, good for him!
4shoes on March 17, 2008 at 11:07 PM
Yeah, as I recall, and youtube confirmed this for me, all he claimed to do was that he, and a bunch of others, went to try to stop the guy from attacking the cop. And then he helped a “female member of security” drag someone out of the way because they were injured. He also always seemed to downplay his part, that the real hero was the cop, was the firefighters, etc.
If the others who helped during the attack are mad that he got a medal and they didn’t, that’s not his fault, that’s their government’s fault, you know?
apollyonbob on March 17, 2008 at 11:35 PM
Heart-ache. I refuse to believe it. It doesn’t matter anyway.
In that order.
Jaibones on March 17, 2008 at 11:45 PM
I only have one thing to say. . . .Subtitles
Texyank on March 17, 2008 at 11:52 PM
I will not believe this. I love ma Smeats, and I’ll no heer a ting agin’ im.
(Pssst – Smeato. I’ll be in Scotland in June. Ediburgh – meet me there. Meow.)
tickleddragon on March 18, 2008 at 12:27 AM
I can’t form an honest opinion, simply because I can’t understand a damn thing those people are saying.
Oh well.
winemkr on March 18, 2008 at 1:13 AM
I agree. ugh.
Roebuck on March 18, 2008 at 4:47 AM
Scot’s not agreeing, dumping on one another and arguing over the most minor details? That’s news?
Celtic baggage handler envy is an ugly thing.
Hening on March 18, 2008 at 7:54 AM
I’m reminded of that line from William Shakespeare: “bullshit!”
james hooker on March 18, 2008 at 9:03 AM
I always thought Smeaton did a good job of down-playing the attention and crediting his fellow defenders. He really had a hard time with the spotlight – that’s well documented. In fact, I think that is what endeared him to everyone – his humble attitude and his desire to continuously credit others. He can’t help that the media fixated on him alone as a result of his comments afterward. After all, what’s more eminently quotable than “We’ll set aboot ye”? Nothing, that’s what.
Redhead Infidel on March 18, 2008 at 9:42 AM
It’s okay, Alex. You’re a hero too.
srhoades on March 18, 2008 at 12:42 PM