AN SNP MSP is under fire after comparing child sex abuse and tax dodging.

John Mason said there were “some parallels” between abuse by former coaches at Celtic Boys Club and a past tax scheme at Rangers Football Club, as both hurt children.

The Glasgow Shettleston MSP made the remark in an email to a constituent who wanted a public inquiry into historic abuse at the Boys Club.

The Scottish Sun reported Mr Mason said the request was a “natural response”, but cautioned against rushing on Old Firm matters.

He said he believed there were parallels between the Celtic case, which exposed four paedophiles, and former Rangers staff and players getting tax-free loans instead of wages in the £47m EBT scheme that collapsed in 2012.

Mr Mason said: “In both cases young people are suffering. In the one, children are suffering directly at the hands of child abusers.

“In the other, very rich people are not paying the tax due which means schools and hospitals get less money than they need.

“I do accept they are different types of crimes, but they are both crimes with real victims, usually the most vulnerable in our society.”

Labour MSP James Kelly said: “These comments show how detached John Mason is from reality.”

A Tory spokesman said; “These remarks will go down very poorly with anyone who’s ever suffered at the hands of a child abuser.”

The Sun said Mr Mason explained people frequently tried to draw him into a “vendetta” against the Old Firm teams, and he tried to stay above the fray.

He said: “Both clubs have done things wrong or have links to individuals who have done things wrong.”

An SNP spokesperson said: “Everyone agrees child abuse is abhorrent.”