Pressure grows to strip shamed rugby star Stuart Hogg of his MBE award
It comes six months after he was sentenced for inflicting five years of domestic abuse on his estranged wife Gillian.
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Ex-Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg, 33, was given a community payback order for at Selkirk Sheriff Court for terrorising his wife
Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA
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The former national team skipper was awarded an MBE for services to the game only months before his conviction
Credit: Adam Davy/PA Wire
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Hogg abused spouse Gillian for five years
We told in February how the Cabinet Office's honours bosses, the Forfeiture Committee, were asked to make a 'timely decision'.
But the disgraced former Scotland captain, 33, is still clinging to the gong awarded to him in 2024 for services to rugby union.
Last night Tory MSP Pam Gosal said: 'It's shameful Stuart Hogg has still not done the right thing and handed back his MBE.
"His continued refusal is an insult to his victim and all domestic abuse victims across the country.
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'It is high time this offender had his award stripped from him rather than trying to hide behind his previous reputation.'
And clinical psychologist Dr Mairead Tagg, who has worked with domestic abuse survivors for more than 20 years, also urged the officials to act now.
She said: 'Are they just hoping it will all go away?
"Do they think we are so taken up with other issues that we will just let it go?
"I don't think so.
'Stuart Hogg made his ex- partner's life a living hell.
Rugby player Stuart Hogg sentenced for abusing estranged wife
'Do we really want to reward that?
"This man has let his teammates down, he has let his country down and the good name of Scottish rugby down.'
Dr Tagg added: 'He is not a role model.
"We should not be rewarding domestic abusers.'
We told how Hogg pleaded guilty last November to a charge of domestic abuse involving mum-of-four Gillian, 38.
He admitted to shouting and swearing, tracking her movements and sending distressing messages.
At Selkirk Sheriff Court in January he got a community supervision order and was barred from contacting his ex for five years.
First Minister John Swinney previously said calls to take back Hogg's MBE were 'reasonable and understandable'.
An honour can be withdrawn for a variety of reasons, including criminal convictions and bringing the honours system into disrepute.
Former Crewe Alexandra footie manager Dario Gradi, 84, was stripped of his MBE in 2023 after failing to protect kids from sexual abuse at the club.
A review found he 'should have done more' on claims about paedo coach Barry Bennell.
Hogg, now at French side Montpellier, was approached for comment.
The Cabinet Office said it didn't comment on individuals.
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