THE CATHOLIC Church in Scotland is backing an attempt by a former adviser to Celtic to wrest the Scottish Catholic Observer newspaper from English control, or launch a rival title instead.Financier and businessman David Low is considering a second approach for the ailing title after his first bid of £150,000 was rejected last month.
The move is being encouraged by the Scottish Catholic Church, spearheaded by the Glasgow archdiocese, which is said to be unhappy at underinvestment in the title by its current owner, The Catholic Herald, and rumours that editorial control might soon be shifted to London.
In a further twist, editor Harry Conroy was given his notice shortly after the bid was rejected, amid speculation that his employers thought he was involved.
Low,who was adviser to Fergus Mc Cann during his tenure at Celtic Football Club and is said to be held in high regard by the Church, said: "I have been encouraged to make a second bid, I can't say by whom, and failing that to consider launching an alternative title."
When pressed, he confirmed that a second bid was very likely. If he succeeds in buying the title it will end The Catholic Herald's 122-year association with Glasgow, which began with the launch of the Catholic Observer in 1885 before the founder later moved the operation to London.
Low is said to have long been frustrated that the title had lost touch with Scottish Catholics and had mulled over a bid for several years.
He approached The Catholic Herald about a possible sale in January.
He was initially rebuffed, before managing director Andy Leisinger got back in touch to arrange a meeting a few months later.
Not only was Low now encouraged to make a bid for the title, he was even apparently told what price would be acceptable.
As a result he launched a £150,000 bid several months ago, but was told the title was no longer for sale and that The Catholic Herald had decided to revamp it instead.
The board, which includes hotelier Sir Rocco Forte and disgraced former Telegraph proprietor Conrad Black, was apparently split over the best course of action.
One source said: "There are a bunch of Lord Snooties on the board. Having a Scottish paper does not sit easily with some of them, but they couldn't make up their minds."
The title's circulation has been in decline due to falling church attendance and the closure of churches.
There have also been rumours of friction between the Glasgow and London offices within the Catholic community.
Conroy is thought to have been asked to step aside, despite his being due to retire next April anyway. His seven-year editorship will now end on October 31.
Low denied rumours that Conroy had been involved in the bid, saying he had not spoken to him for "maybe six months".
The editor is understood to have resisted efforts by the London management to increase its control of the paper,and some media observers believe that everything except editorial is now effectively run from London.
Conroy has also been critical of budget cuts and staff reductions that have seen one redundancy and one non-replacement of administrative staff in recent months.
There are fears that, after he leaves, the owners will seek to have one London-based editor to oversee both titles.
Conroy refused to comment and Leisinger was not available.
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