Celtic AGM descends into chaos as meeting abandoned amid shareholder protests

Celtic’s annual general meeting has been called to a premature halt amid repeated protests from shareholders.

The meeting was initially adjourned less than five minutes into proceedings after one shareholder approached the stage while chairman Peter Lawwell addressed the crowd.

Directors exited before returning half an hour later to resume business, however, further disruption resulted in the event being abandoned at 11.27am.

Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell called a halt to the Celtic AGM amid protests from shareholders. | SNS Group

Lawwell and his fellow directors first entered a packed Kerrydale Suite inside Celtic Park at 10.30am and were greeted with boos and red cards from some of the audience, with shouts of “out”.

After making his introductory speech, which included a rapturous round of applause for interim manager Martin O’Neill, the commencement of resolutions were swiftly abandoned amid unrest in the crowd after Celtic Trust vice-chair Jeanette Findlay approached the top table.

Lawwell decided to use his power as chairman to adjourn the meeting as irate shareholders voiced their displeasure while the top table exited the stage. Lawwell told the audience that “disruptive behaviour is not on”, while shareholders told him in response, “you respect us”.

Directors returned and the meeting resumed at 11.02am only for further protests to erupt once Ross Desmond, the son of largest shareholder Dermot Desmond, who was not present, took the microphone.

Desmond Jnr gave an impassioned and strong defence of the board’s actions of late, including financial decisions, and took aim at certain supporters’ behaviour and protests.

Chants of “sack the board” once again broke out and it was at this point that the meeting was stopped indefinitely by Lawwell.

The Celtic board has the power to postpone the AGM to a later date or in extreme circumstances hold a new meeting behind closed doors with auditors and votes taken by proxy.

You can read all what Desmond Jnr had to say here.

Ross Desmond - the son of Celtic's largest shareholder Dermot Desmond - pictured during the 2024 Celtic Annual General Meeting. | SNS Group

Celtic later released a statement blamed the “unacceptable” conduct of a “small number of individuals” for the decision to terminate the AGM.

The statement read: “Regrettably, due to the continuing disruptive conduct of a small number of individuals preventing the orderly management of today’s AGM, we were required to conclude the meeting earlier than we had planned.

“Such conduct is completely unacceptable and hugely disappointing, and while today’s events are completely outwith our control, clearly we regret the impact on our shareholders who were deprived of the opportunity to take part in an orderly and constructive meeting.

“Chairman Peter Lawwell called a poll on the resolutions at the end of the meeting, the results of which will be made available once counted and verified by our registrar, Computershare.

Should any shareholders wish to raise a question, they can do so by contacting our investor relations department and we will endeavour to respond to any queries.”