Scotland: Former Labour MP Tom Clarke awarded Papal Knighthood

Rt Hon Tom Clarke CBE

Rt Hon Tom Clarke CBE has been awarded a papal knighthood by Pope Francis. Bishop Joseph Toal of the Diocese of Motherwell made the announcement on 29th of June, the feast of Saints Peter and Paul and the 34th Anniversary of his first taking his seat in Parliament.

Commenting on the award, Bishop Toal said: I am delighted to announce that Our Holy Father, Pope Francis has conferred the honour of the Knight of St Gregory the Great on former Member of Parliament, Tom Clarke. Tom served as a Member of Parliament from 1982 until 2015. Throughout all of that time Tom Clarke sought inspiration from his devout Catholic faith in determining how he should vote on a wide variety of parliamentary issues especially his work on disability rights, overseas development and the pro life cause.

He is a most worthy recipient of this Papal honour and a wonderful example of how we can contribute to the building of God's kingdom on earth when we allow the Holy Spirit to inspire and motivate us to use the gifts and talents God has given us. I have no doubt that Tom's former parliamentary colleagues from diverse political parties, ideologies and creeds would agree that Tom is a worthy recipient of this honour. I congratulate him on behalf of the Diocese of Motherwell.

Tom Clarke said: "I am truly humbled and privileged to receive this award. Coming from Pope Francis, a man of great humanity and a staunch advocate of human rights, adds to my delight. I regard this as recognition of people not just of my own faith but of the many people of all traditions I have had the honour to serve."

Bishop Toal will be the principal celebrant at a Special Mass in St Augustine's Coatbridge on Thursday 1st September and will bestow the award on behalf of Pope Francis. Mr Clarke is expected to have an audience with the Holy Father at the Vatican on a date to be arranged.

Thomas Clarke was born in Coatbridge on 10th January 1941, the son of James Clarke whose family hailed from County Louth and Mary (nee Gordon) who was born in Armagh. Tom was the seventh child of a family of eleven. His father was a miner and died at the early age of 53 leaving his mother with the responsibilities of being a widow until her own death at the age of 83 in 1992.

Educated at All Saints Primary School Airdrie, St. Augustine's Primary Coatbridge and St Mary's Secondary Coatbridge (re-named Columba High) he left school before he was 16. While working as an office boy for an Accountancy firm in Glasgow and later a clerical worker he continued his studies at night school at Coatbridge College and the Scottish College of Commerce.

In 1966 he was appointed to an Administrative post at the Scottish Film Council subsequently becoming one of its Assistant Directors until his election to
Parliament. While employed by SFC he was mainly responsible for the amateur film movement in Scotland and was one of the organisers of the International Amateur Film Festival in Glasgow and London. He served as President of the British Association of Amateur Cinematographers and himself produced an award winning movie GIVE US A GOAL based on Queen of the South Football Club and its Manager Mike Jackson which gained an award and was shown at Cannes. He was also Secretary of the Glasgow Film Society and the Glasgow Scientific Film Association and was involved when the former Cosmo Cinema became the Glasgow Film Theatre. His time at the SFC brought him into close contact with the legendary late Msgr. Brendan Murphy then Director of the Scottish Catholic Film Institute.

Elected to Coatbridge Burgh Council at the age of 23 he served in local government, taking in three terms as Provost of Monklands, until 1982. During that time he was also elected for a two year term as President of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities - service which led him being appointed a CBE.

Following the death of his predecessor James Dempsey he was elected to Parliament in the Coatbridge and Airdrie by-election on 24th June 1982. He remained an MP, representing various Constituencies following boundary changes until he was defeated in the Coatbridge Chryston and Bellshill Constituency in May 2015.

Elected four times to Labour's Shadow Cabinet under John Smith he became Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland and then Shadow Secretary of State for International Development. When Tony Blair became Leader he appointed Tom Shadow Cabinet Spokesperson on Disability Rights. Tom battled ME and used this experience to galvanise a campaign for its recognition as a medical condition This helped lead to the Donaldson Report.

Whilst holding the International Development post he led in exposing the Pergau Dam project, highlighting the link between arms and the misuse of aid resources.

Most of Tom's colleagues attribute his greatest achievements to his sponsorship of two Acts of Parliament arising from Private Members' Bills. His 1986 Disabled Persons' Act led to huge progress in the rights and services for people with disabilities and their carers and was widely acclaimed internationally. His 2006 International Development Act - the year of "Make Poverty History" - endorsed for the first time the commitment of 0.7 per cent of GNI as well as placing in legislation the implementation of the UN Millennium Development Goals. His fellow MPs from all parties twice voted for him the "Disability Champion of the Year".

Until the General Election he served as Chair of the All - Party Learning Disability Group as well as The Parliamentary Friends of CAFOD Group among other activities. He did not hesitate to vote on matters of conscience even if this incurred unpopularity among some.