Hot air and candles
Iβve met John Smeaton just the once. That was when he was invited to attend the Labour conference in Bournemouth last autumn. He was in the hall for the Prime Ministerβs speech and was singled out as a hero by Mr Brown for his efforts during the alleged terror attack on Glasgow Airport.
I grabbed a quick TV interview with Mr Smeaton after the PMβs address.
My impression was of a gallus Glaswegian who seemed, understandably, over-awed but enthralled by the attention. Once again, the βheroβ identified by the PM took pains when he talked to me to stress that others had more than played their part.
Now some of those others are suggesting that Mr Smeatonβs own contribution may have been much more limited than previously believed. One, Alex McIlveen, who was injured in the episode, said that John Smeaton only gained attention because of his defiant comments afterwards. Not his actions which, according to Mr McIlveen, were minimal.
John Smeaton has responded by insisting he never sought to exaggerate his contribution and added: βIt is a strange world when some people try and blow out your candle to make their own grow brighter.β
I freely confess I am in absolutely no position to judge the truth here. Did Mr Smeaton exaggerate β or was he simply caught up in a wave of publicity, not of his making, as folk tuned into to his simple message of defiance?
Should he have done still more to stress the roles of others β or is it perhaps the case that the media werenβt listening at the time, that, collectively, in troubled times, we wanted a clear, single hero β one Superman, one Batman, not a posse?
Is that true too of politicians β and the Palace who presented Mr Smeaton with the Queenβs Gallantry Medal?
Not sure. Iβm genuinely not sure.
PS: Congratulations to Rangers on taking the CIS Cup to Ibrox. No question about it. On the day, the better team lost. We United supporters will get over it... but, right now, to lose on penalties, having been denied a stonewall spot kick during the game seems unspeakably cruel.
I'm 
Comments
Stop bleating about losing, just think you could support a team like, say, East Stirling or Fort William!
Dundee United were robbed right enough, two-nil after the penalty that should have been and there would be no-way back for Rangers. Even with Boyd.
Smeaton has become symbolic of something else about Glasgow and Scotland. That is why both Salmond and to a greater extent Brown were so keen to associate themselves with this "hero" (or otherwise, I don't know) in the collective imagination. When I saw his new column in a major tabloid recently I thought his fame was being spread too thin, however. That said, you cannot blame him for using the opportunities presented to him.
What is it with Brits, in fact Scots in particular - We build someone up as a big hero then can't wait to kick them back down saying they're getting too big for their boots.
Perhaps everyone should have got the same recognition but the media and indeed the public singled Smeaton out more for what he said than what he did or did not do.
Yes it must be a bit frustrating to see him everywhere you turn if you were one of the other ones that helped however surely the reason everyone helped in the first place was because it was the right thing to do and not so they could get a medal.
What's your next incisive blog going to be about? "Did Braveheart have a net positive effect on Scotland? Ah dinnae ken,", or perhaps "The run-rig system of land management; whit's that all aboot"?
A typical outcome if you ask me.
The media sensationalise something or someone and set them up then they knock them down again.
At the start Smeaton didn't think it was anything special. He just said it was him and some others that waded in a gave the guy a kicking.
But instead, the media and public - in search of a hero - raised him up onto a pedestal. Now we find the other guys all perhaps equally "heroic" are somewhat fed up that he gets all the attention (and the money!!)
Wait now for the stories from "friends" that start to slag him off. (He'll be a wife beater or a drunk or a pervert or something else)
Poor guy - he'll wish he never bothered soon.
Every time I have seen John Smeaton on the small screen, he has stated that his was not a solo effort. Seems to be yet another example of the fine media trait of building someone up to be able to have a better sight of the target!
With regard to Hampden, if it had been Lee Wilkie would it have been robust defending?
The similarity here is uncanny, both Glasgow Int Airport and Dundee United were on fire.
John Smeaton without question played a part with others in helping to defeat terrorism.
Kris boyd without question played a part with others in helping to defeat the 'Arabs'.
Wansanshoo.
Mr Smeaton seems to be a decent, ordinary guy who acted with extreme bravery in very difficult circumstances and was quite rightly praised for doing so. I didn't think it would take too long before the criticism emerged as we seem incapable of praising anyone in this country without later feeling we have to βtake them down a peg or two'. Leave Smeato alone, heβs a hero and god only knows we have precious few of them nowadays.
Brian
That latest ditty was as incisive as a Mark Kerr pass back.
Do you still feel the pain like me ?
John Smeaton rose to the occasion, perhaps not on the day as many would like to believe but in the days, weeks and months following on from the incident.
He has conducted himself on the local and global stage admirably for one who would clearly have been unused to the media attention and to his credit has often the mentioned others who played their own roles, of which individually they may have been greater then Mr Smeaton's. However he has become the poster boy and a very good one at that.
Mr McIlveen could do worse than learning from Mr Smeaton what good grace and humility can be instead of allowing himself to be portrayed as a consumer of sour grapes.
Every interview I have ever read about John Smeaton has always mentioned the fact he was not the only person there who helped to foil that attack. I have never seen him as a glory hound and perhaps the media have played a larger part in making him seem more of a hero than he was, but I do agree to a certain extent that his "fame" came about, certainly in Scotland, from his comments in his first interviews, which, is hardly something he can be blamed for, the sites set up in recognition of what he did and said were not his doing. He has become almost a household name since that day and perhaps it now grates on the other people involved that days nerves, but they played their part and I for one, am glad they did and see each one of them as heroes, and thank each one of them for putting themselves in danger that day to help prevent the terrorists winning yet another fight against the West.
Thanks boys, you were pure dead brilliant!
After getting his medal from the Queen John Smeaton said 'I didn't really do anything I just gave a guy a bootin'. I've never seen him claim to have done anything specially heroic (although I think he did a great job) and the whole thing was captured on CCTV anyway.
I think it is a shame that the tide looks now to be turning against John Smeaton. i have never once read or heard comments from him declaring anything more than what he actually did. He has never went over the top and it just stinks of sour grapes from the other workers. The fact is Smeatons comments afterwards gave the world a very positive view of Scots and we should be happy with that.
As a Gers fan, i can freely admit the stone waller and we were terrible for much of the match but surely it won't be too begrudged based on the Rangers flying the flag proudly in Europe.
Could i make a comment on recent polls taken concerning political parties and personalities within them. To admit to taking a survey contacting 1000 people and come up with magic figures on who will win the next elections both in Scotland and in the UK, who are they asking?? in my street i would probably be a equal split between Labour and Conservitive but no one has asked anyone in the street these questions.
Has anyone noticed the similarities between the dreaded poll tax and John Swinneys 3P in the pound tax, in the poll tax everyone paid in the house who was 16 or over,this was hated by everyone now the SNP 3p in the pound tax will effect all tax payers who live in the house some houses could have as many as 6 or even more,some houses could have none or one,You could live in a mansion and not pay or in a council house with 6 paying a fortune.
How very Scottish this is. The guy has had his 15 minutes of fame so now lets all put the boot in until he's down on the ground with a bloody nose.
The Scottish psyche really is pathetic.
The real issue here is the media. I have had the privilege to edit two business publications over times and one of the great aspects about the job was being able to say what did, and did not, go into the publication. Why can't journalists act with some level of professionalism and ethics and learn when it's not in anybodys interest to publish trash.
Bonnie Scotland. Whae's like us, eh?
Smeaton does no harm and shows humility where others don't
As for the football yesterday, for us Arabs leaving Hampden previous final defeats have hurt, but I cannot remember one hurting as bad as this. Defeat was snatched from the jaws of victory (with the help of a certain Mr K Clark)
I thought he put it remarkably well himself with the candle thing. I'm just glad John Smeaton got the glory and not the undeserving person(s) who are criticising him now. He never ever said he was the only one, ...... well maybe just once, but he's only human after all. Nobody's perfect, and that's part of his charm.
John Smeaton AND others did act in aheroic way on the day Glasgow Airport was attacked. How many of us would have been transfixed with shock or ran away? However whai I'm begining to find a littlem nausiating is the constant accolate one person gets while the others are ignored. Thes otehr heroes are nor being ignored by John bu by the Media who have identified their hero and won't accept that there were others who contributed on the day, some even more than John.
John has had his 15 miniutes fame. It's time for the media to let him return to a normal life before the public 'throw up' at a Smeaton overdose.
#5
If it had been Lee Wilkie commiting the foul then Rangers would have had a penalty.
Leave poor John alone! He was just what the media wanted - a typical gallus and photogenic local who stuck the boot in and then had an inimitable style (which is an entirely natural one) in front of the cameras.
The guy personified the Glaswegian attitude to this kind of bungling 'terrorism'. Boot the stupid chancers where it hurts!
If the other heroes didn't get the same attention it was not John's fault and the other guys should realise this. Perhaps them and John could do a photo-op for the media?
Incidentally, I don't think the ordinary folks of Glasgow and surrounding areas will be too chuffed at anyone who tries to blacken hia character...
Brian
You have been given a blog because the Beeb think people are interested in your opinions - and they are right. So, please feel free to offer opinions rather than simply commentary - the Smeato blog offers nothing but commentary that we can get elsewhere. Brian - nail your colours to the mast next time. If we don't agree, we'll soon tell you.
For what it's worth, Smeato makes me proud to be Scottish. Having said that the 'candle' soundbite sounds a bit too polished for a man who'll "set aboot yae"!
John Smeaton stood his ground and helped his fellow man- No Surrender to terrorism. All Scotland is proud of him.
brian
john smeaton
since when did that have anything to do with politics?
what about the latest poll showing the snp well ahead of labour or wendy alexanders negative -22 if i recall popularity with the scottish people. what about jack mcconnel not attending the labour party conference?
anyway john smeatons only mistake was to go to the labour party conference because everyone took from that that he was a labour party member. I dont know if he was or is?
but a lot of people thought that he was only there because he was a member or the labour party and that was why he was getting the glory even though he did say that other people did more than him.
I don't agree that he's an automatic hero. I've long been discomfited by his "attack first, ask questions later" response. How did he know that the guy on fire wasn't some poor hostage actually trying to escape?
I don't think attacking anyone on spec gives a positive view of the Scots either - I think it's more likely to draw attention to an unwelcome Scots reputation for harbouring an unnecessarily pugilistic attitude.
Brian,
For the life of me I cannot understand why you would choose to post on this subject matter!!??
You may well be suffering from a certain football result and need to vent your frustration!!
No question your own team deserved to win, but were denied a 'stonewaller' of a penalty as poster 12 eloquently and equitably points out.
Sadly J Smeaton (for some unknown reason) appears to have attracted the jealous rants of a 'spurned partner' as it were.
For yourself, get busy on the Labour Party of Westminster in Scotland.
'Sic a parcel of rogues in a Nation'
A likeable young man was caught up in a media frenzy , making him part of a shallow celebrity culture.
He did everything right ,the media made him into the superstar , not his choosing.
He did make me laugh when he said in all innocence, 'it was like the noise an aerosol can makes when you chuck it on a bonfire!' Ah! the misspent youth!
I'd just like to thank all the heroes of that day.
I have never seen the CCTV evidence of John Smeaton or anyone else preventing the terrorist attack.Have you?
David Jenkinson:
"I have never seen the CCTV evidence of John Smeaton or anyone else preventing the terrorist attack.Have you?"
Ditto... it always amazes me how people can swear they know something and they have not seen anything at all... I guess that's how the press get away with printing such rubbish all the time!
PMK (Post 2)
If as you say, DU had been awarded the penalty, is it right to assume they would actually have scored from it?
108 and Counting.
In every interview, article, story and report I've read about John Smeaton he's done nothing other than heap praise and support onto the others who helped that day.
It's not his fault someone started johnsmeaton.com and started whooping up a storm about him. Alex McIlveen's not exactly done himself any favours here - sour grapes anyone??
Brian united were mugged !i suppose the only consolation for you is that it was done by a unionist team!lol As regards smeato surely broony could release the cctv to admonish his beloved hero of any public doubt about his actions that day!BUT somehow we all know that's not going to happen so where does this leave us? none the wiser . I personally wont believe it till i see it!Especially when one of the chaps involved says the first time he saw smeato was on the telly next day!Something very very wrong here!Clear it up lets see the cctv.
It is YOUR job to establish the facts.
It is fair to ask, how many facts in your own stories can we believe?
I am sick of the sight of this fame hungry guy, he has had his 10 minutes. So Brown says the other heroes didn't do anything to deserve a medal, what does that mean ? Maybe they should have attended the Labour Party conference
Brian,
sorry your team lost. You can say they deserved to win and would've done had they been awarded a penalty if it makes you feel better.
But can I ask you this:
1) Was Darcheville not wrongly given offside when clean through on goal?
2) How many shots did Allan McGregor have to save in the 2nd half?
Fact - Rangers pounded United for almost the full second half and deserved to go to extra time, and subsequently penalties. No denying United did well, they were impressive, but to beat Rangers you have to go that extra mile because they never give up, and United fell just short.
No need to be so coy Brian, the media recognised exactly what they have with John Smeaton and the public lapped it up. For the "working man" he's an everyday hero - clear cut, fought the bad guys and won.
For us WASPy middle classes he's something else "Come here and we'll burn you" is something that good liberals could never possibly say no matter how much the fantasy appeals. Our traditional response to America's take on terrorism (yes that's right we're bigger than you, and now that you've annoyed us we're going to crush you completely) is something we like to think of as rather beneath us more civilised Europeans.
Jealousy is an illness - clearly one that the "gentlemen" who are now trying to knock John Smeaton down, are suffering from. Why wait til now boys???
No 24 on here - I trust when u r getting filled in by some ned that you do NOT expect someone to come to your aid.
Interesting thoughts, Brian. May I point out that the Scottish Crucible had the inside story on John Smeaton on September 8 last year? It was just a matter of time before the out-of-date internet and TV media caught up.
The Scottish Crucible: a new Scottish voice for a new Scottish Scotland.
I find it perfectly plausible that Mr Smeaton may have exaggerated his role. I watched the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ News 24 live feed on the night of the attack, and his account of events became more and more fanciful as the night went on.
The one quote which always sticks in my mind is Mr Smeaton claiming the attackers were shouting "Allah! Allah!" Later, other accounts proved this claim to be false. Totally false.
This was a very dangerous thing to say and could have inflamed ethnic tension (as it did when Asian shops were ram raided on the South Side of Glasgow).
I view Mr Smeaton as a bit of a Walter Mitty character. All that has happened is someone has called him on it. I don't see it as a case of Scots building someone up to knock them down.
Football - a neutral's view point
Great game. Stonewall pen for Dundee U.
Rangers never gave up. Dundee U had 2 chances to close up shop and didn't. Better team didn't win but football is like that.......
Smeaton - the only people that can be blamed for his current demise are the same people that put him on a pedestal in the first place - the media.
First of all, in regards to the 1st persons comment, I am an east stirlingshire fan and I think it's uncalled for that you put our team down like that. We are loyal supporters and stick with our team through everything, as I'm sure you would as well. And I hoped United would have won on Sunday as well, it's just becoming either Rangers or Celtic to win everything the now, I support the underdogs :)
But on topic, I think Smeaton got where he is with his comments after the incident, although I can't comment on what happened as I wasn't there. The fact that it wasn't just Smeato against the world, there should be more medals awarded. The police officers will say 'it's in their line of duty' and look for no reward, but they deserve the glory of their actions and bravery like any other.
No idea about Smeaton but I echo the views of the guys who say this was of course coming - and not sure why Brian is bothering talking about it.
Bit disapponted to find out that Brian is yet another 'neutral' when it comes to Rangers or Celtic - Scotland must be the only country in the world where no major political or indeed sports commentator supports either of the country's two big teams - blog on that one, Brian!
I agree with those that say John Smeaton has behaved with dignity throughout. Mr McIlveen is clearly miffed that he did not get as much attention. The media have built John up for this fall, along with the less than edifying image of Gordon Brown et al fawning over him. I watched ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ News24 coverage live that Saturday afternoon. The ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Scotland News dept was badly caught out. They had most of their limited resources at the Parliament opening ceremony and had to rely on mobile phone videos and a reporter on a phone for at least a couple of hours after the event. This just shows the effect of the lack of investment from the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ in resources for Scottish news. The quicker this brought under the supervision of Edinburgh, rather than London the better.
So Brian, to summarise your thoughts on John Smeaton, you don't know what to think.
Can I be the first to thank you for sharing those precious insights with us?
Are there any other subjects on which you have no opinion to offer us?
If you can't see Mr Smeaton's detractors as whining, spiteful, jealous wannabees, you're in the wrong business.
I think this story is exactly what it looks like, Alex McIlveen trying to get himself a bit of publicity. Dare i say it's a complete non story!
In terms of the CIS Final it may also be worth noting in addition to what was undoubtedly a stonewall penalty for Dundee Utd, Rangers Jean Claude Darcheville was incorrectly flagged offside when clean through on goal - so it's not quite the hard luck story that the Scottish media would have us believe.
I think this story is exactly what it looks like, Alex McIlveen trying to get himself a bit of publicity. Dare i say it's a complete non story!
In terms of the CIS Final it may also be worth noting in addition to what was undoubtedly a stonewall penalty for Dundee Utd, Rangers Jean Claude Darcheville was incorrectly flagged offside when clean through on goal - so it's not quite the hard luck story that the Scottish media would have us believe.
If there's one thing the Media likes more than finding a new hero, it's tearing him down again. Can we not just leave John Smeaton alone and see these sour grapes after-the-fact complaints for what they are.
John Smeaton is a modern day civilian hero. They'll be talking about this guy in a couple of hundred years time like we talk about Scottish folk hero's even to this day. Every story in History is exaggerated to some extent. Look at 9/11, its only now that the conspiracy theories and conspiracy facts are starting to surface. Im sure the story of William Wallace has been exaggerted to some degree. This was also an ordinary guy who happened to be in the wrong place at the right time or the right place at the wrong time,whichever combination is convenient enough for to create a story to be proud of. Leave John Smeaton alone and be proud of our new nation and the people who are prepared to stand up to extemism which has no place in our modern, thriving, democratic nation. Its a sad day when our new hero is appreciated more in the United States than in his birth country. John...if your reading this, enjoy being a hero and enjoy the new direction your life has taken but use your fame to do further good.
No idea about Smeaton but I echo the views of the guys who say this was of course coming - and not sure why Brian is bothering talking about it.
Bit disapponted to find out that Brian is yet another 'neutral' when it comes to Rangers or Celtic - Scotland must be the only country in the world where no major political or indeed sports commentator supports either of the country's two big teams - try blethering on that one, Brian!
#17:
'I'm just glad John Smeaton got the glory and not the undeserving person(s) who are criticising him now.'
It is surely grossly unfair to describe as 'undeserving' a man who tore a tendon while tackling one of the terrorists!
I think John Smeaton did a good thing, but now is the time to shut up about it and get back to normal life. That's what a real 'hero' would do.
By all means accept some of the plaudits; to have turned down the Queen's Gallantry Medal would have been rude. But turning up for the opening of an envelope, popping across the Atlantic to be on TV and visiting the Labour Party conference is just starting to look a bit needy.
Take a bit of a hint from the fact that nobody else from that day is doing it, before you are tainted by the media.
Well said Kenny of Airdrie and others who spoke out in support of heros.
We live in a world where self created celebrities of no value at all are lauded and adored for having done absolutely nothing that enriches anyone's life except their own. So when we choose to pick at someone who does deserve to be a hero, I am just a little disappointed.
let is instead laud and hold up John Smeaton and the others involved as true Scottish heroes who stood up and were counted when it was needed. Can you see any of the self created celebrities doing the same?
Smeaton's so much the media darling that he can't even write his own lines any more. Nae way any self-respecting Glaswegian wid hae written that ponsy "candle" stuff.
Not his fault, though -- it was the media that picked him, and not the other way round....
I don't agree that he's an automatic hero. I've long been discomfited by his "attack first, ask questions later" response. How did he know that the guy on fire wasn't some poor hostage actually trying to escape?
I don't think attacking anyone on spec gives a positive view of the Scots either - I think it's more likely to draw attention to an unwelcome Scots reputation for harboring an unnecessarily pugilistic attitude.
Could have been the small fact that the same man on fire was trying to smash open the gas canisters in the back on the 4x4 to create an explosion and deserved his grisly end