Scotland's largest council has denied "condoning sectarianism" by failing to clamp down on the sale of controversial merchandise outside Old Firm grounds.

Liberal Democrat MSP Donald Gorrie said Glasgow City Council must stop vendors from selling inflammatory goods on the streets outside the Celtic and Rangers stadia.

However, the council said it was committed to tackling bigotry and would be taking renewed action after it has received the results of new research into the problem.

The council takes this issue very seriously and has commissioned independent research to establish the extent of the problem

Council spokesman

Mr Gorrie has been hoping to include an amendment to the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill which would allow courts to apply tougher sentences for crimes motivated by bigotry.

The Central Scotland Lib Dem MSP has accused council leader Charles Gordon, of "inaction" on the matter, an allegation which he has denied.

Mr Gorrie said: "The clubs can't do anything because it's outside the ground, on the street and the police reckon the stall holders aren't breaking the law, so they're unhappy about taking action against them.

"So that comes back to the council who license them, but it seems to me Glasgow is condoning unacceptable sectarian propaganda.

'Publicity stunt'

"Glasgow, to its credit, is doing some research into sectarianism, but this is a simple issue on which the council could send out a very clear message about unacceptable sectarian behaviour, and they refuse to do it."

Mr Gorrie showed photographs of bibs, scarves and T-shirts with content relating to sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland and glorifying violence.

After discussions with Rangers and Celtic earlier this year, the MSP wrote to Mr Gordon asking him to consider using trading licence conditions to end the sale of such goods.

Mr Gorrie released the letter he received from Mr Gordon this week, in which the Labour councillor said he regarded the issue as "of far too much importance to allow myself to be a stooge in a publicity stunt about it".

Donald Gorrie: Letter to council leader

Mr Gordon said the council was awaiting the results of independent research on the issue, adding, "once the results of this are known, we will take the issues forward in the usual way".

But Mr Gorrie said: "It just seems to me so stupid. I was a messenger - you don't shoot the messenger.

"So, I hope he doesn't speak for Glasgow as a whole and I hope Glasgow people and their elected representatives will get him to change his position."

A spokesman for the authority said: "The council takes this issue very seriously and has commissioned independent research to establish the extent of the problem.

"It would be inappropriate to make comment until this research has been considered."