'I don't need this' - Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell to stand down due to 'intolerable abuse and threats'

Lawwell, who returned to the club as non-executive chairman in 2023, having previously served for 18 years as chief executive, will depart the board with effect from December 31.

The 66-year-old and fellow board members, including principal shareholder Dermot Desmond and chief executive Michael Nicholson, have been the subject of protests from the Celtic support this season.

Chants of "sack the board" and banners calling for the removal of Lawwell, Desmond and Nicholson have been prevalent at matches with a large section of fans left disgruntled by the club’s transfer activity in the summer and poor performances this season, culminating in Sunday’s 3-1 Premier Sports Cup final defeat by St Mirren at Hampden Park.

Now Lawwell has claimed the level of abuse has gone too far, causing his family to become “alarmed” as he confirmed his decision to quit, with non-executive director Brian Wilson set to take up the role of interim chairman until a permanent appointment is made.

“It is with sadness that I announce my decision to stand down as Chairman of Celtic FC," Lawwell said in a statement posted on the club website.

"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 on many fronts, 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. I prefer to look back on my career at Celtic with deep gratitude and satisfaction.

"My life at the Club has included dramatic ups and downs in football but they have also given me the experience, drive and desire which I will take on to my next project, whatever and wherever that may be.

"My thanks go to my many colleagues over the years who have supported me, and I am grateful to the coaches and players who delivered this era of remarkable and historic success.”

Desmond: Sorry to see Peter go - he was driving force of club

Dermot Desmond, who issued a heavily critical statement of former manager Brendan Rodgers following his resignation in October, believes Celtic has lost its “driving force” with Lawwell’s departure.

“I am personally very sorry to lose Peter as our Chairman, but I understand and respect his decision, in light of recent events and what he has endured,” the principal shareholder said.

"I want to pay tribute to Peter for all he has given Celtic over so many years. As Chief Executive, Peter was the driving force of the Club, and in his later role as Chairman he oversaw board affairs.

"Peter has witnessed 38 cup or title triumphs in his time at the Club, a period of extraordinary domestic dominance for us as we have also competed in European football.

"Peter has also overseen the building of our training centre at Lennoxtown, the creation of the new facility at Barrowfield and the upgrading of Celtic Park, all of which were underpinned by the financial stability which has become the cornerstone of the Club under his leadership. Celtic is in a strong position to withstand whatever the future may throw at us.

"During Peter’s tenure, Celtic found a strong voice in Scottish football and, indeed, at European level, with his positions within European Football Clubs (previously European Club Association) reflecting the respect for Peter’s expertise as well as the Club’s history and governance.

"Peter’s knowledge, wisdom and understanding of the Club and our environment has served the club brilliantly over so many years. I thank Peter sincerely for all he has done and I wish him and his family nothing but the very best for the future.”

Nicholson: abuse faced by Lawwell ‘completely unacceptable’

Celtic chief executive Nicholson paid tribute to Lawwell and condemned his abusers.

“We are hugely disappointed that Peter is standing down as Chairman, particularly in these circumstances,” Nicholson stated.

"This is a sad day for Celtic. The abuse and threats directed towards Peter, and the impact on his family, are completely unacceptable. Such conduct will never be tolerated by the Club.

"I hope that there will be respect for Peter’s privacy and family life moving forward, and I wish Peter and his family all the best for the future.

"A lifelong supporter, with Celtic in his blood, Peter gave everything to the Club, working tirelessly and standing up for the Club with determination, passion and strength. Every decision he made was taken in the best interests of the Club and our supporters.

"Under his leadership at the Club, there have been many achievements on and off the pitch, and, through both good times and hard times, Peter has always been there for his colleagues.

"Everyone at the Club will miss Peter, but we will always value the hugely significant and influential part he has played in Celtic’s story across the past 21 years. I would like to thank Peter for this contribution, on behalf of all of his colleagues at Celtic.

"I would also like to thank Brian Wilson for accepting the role of interim Chairman, taking over from Peter from January 1, 2026. We all look forward to working with Brian as the Board considers future composition and succession.”