Police say inquiries into the abusive and threatening communications are ongoing.
10:01, 22 Dec 2025Updated 10:09, 22 Dec 2025
Ex-Celtic Chairman Peter Lawwell(Image: SNS Group)
A police investigation is underway after vile death threats were sent to ex-Celtic club chairman Peter Lawwell and his son.
The posts, which emerged on X earlier this month, captured a man saying he hopes the father and his son burn to death in a fire. The account holder appeared to be a Celtic fan.
Police say inquiries into the abusive and threatening communications are ongoing. It comes after Lawwell announced last week he will step down as Celtic non-executive chairman due to “intolerable abuse and threats”.
Record Sport understands Lawwell’s address was posted online at the weekend after months of requiring security which proved the final straw for the 66-year-old. Lawwell – a vocal target of dissenters within the support with his name featured on banner and poster protests – is leaving the club he returned to after previously serving as the Glasgow giants’ chief executive for 18 years.
The vile posts on X
In the posts, an individual asks: “Who’s got Lawwell’s address?” to which an account replies: “Somewhere in […] wouldn’t be hard to find, hope some **** does and gives it round 2,” followed by a house and flame emoji.
Another user wades in on the thread, writing: “You’re a horrible **** you,” to which the same account replies: “I know, I hope he and his son burn to death”.
In another post on December 17, the user attached a screenshot of an excerpt of Peter Lawwell’s departing statement citing the “dismay and alarm” his family have suffered due to the “abuse and threats”.
In response, the user wrote: “You chose to go to war with the supporters and you lost. You spoke to us directly with utter disdain and arrogance. You made millions whilst we poured in thousands.
“F*** off and this time don’t ever come back. F*** you and f*** your family.” The tweet ends with another house emoji followed by a flame emoji.
Tweets emerged on December 14 and December 17 threatening former Celtic executive Peter Lawwell.
On Wednesday, a club statement read: “Celtic today announced that non-executive chairman Peter Lawwell has decided to step down from the Board of Celtic plc with effect from 31 December 2025. Celtic non-executive director Brian Wilson will take up the role of interim chairman from that point, until a permanent appointment is made.”
Peter Lawwell said in part: “It is with sadness that I announce my decision to stand down as Chairman of Celtic FC. I believe that my 18 years as Chief Executive and three years as Chairman at the Club have shown my ability to meet and overcome challenges… but abuse and threats from some sources have increased and are now intolerable.
“They have dismayed and alarmed my family. At this stage in my life, I don’t need this. I cannot accept this and so I leave the Club I have loved all my life. The motivations and aims of these detractors can be investigated by others.”
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Lawwell has endured a sometimes turbulent time at Celtic, culminating in 2021 when his home was the subject of a fire attack on his home. Three cars were set alight in the driveway of the property.
The inferno forced Lawwell and his terrified family to flee to safety. No one was injured in the blaze but the vehicles and garage were destroyed in the attack.
In 2023, police revealed they had exhausted all possible lines of inquiry on the fire. No arrests were ever made despite charity Crimestoppers offering a £20,000 reward for information.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are aware of online threats made between December 14-17 and inquiries are ongoing.”