Catholic boy, 8, told he can't be a Cub Scout because he refuses to pledge allegiance to the Queen

It is an oath which countless would-be Cub Scouts have cheerfully taken for a century.

But one eight- year- old is refusing to recite the Cub Scout Promise on religious grounds because he will have to swear allegiance to the Queen.

Matthew McVeigh, who comes from a Roman Catholic family, has been told he cannot become a fully fledged Cub as a result.

His mother, Tracy Anne McVeigh, 29, said her son's refusal to say the part of the oath that declares a promise 'to do my duty to the Queen' was a matter of principle.

She said she was particularly irked that her son could not leave out the reference to the Queen when she learned that other nationalities living in Britain were able to change the wording of the promise to suit their requirements.

Mrs McVeigh, a mother of three who works as a childminder, added: 'Matthew has been going to Cubs since January and was getting ready to become a fully fledged member.

He was really excited about it. But when he had to fill out the application form, he realised he would have to pledge duty to the Queen.

'We weren't happy as we don't think it's necessary in today's world. We are supposed to live in a multicultural age but this just flies in the face of that.

' The 1701 Act of Settlement specifically discriminates against Catholics and only allows for Protestants to take the throne  -  so why should we make an oath to the monarchy?'

Mrs McVeigh, of Neilston, near Glasgow, said she initially expected the leaders of 1st Neilston Scout Group to allow a change of wording.

'I was gobsmacked that the Cub Scout commissioner said that if Matthew didn't say the Promise then he would effectively be out the door,' she added.

'He said he could still go along to trips but he would not be insured. As he can't wear the necktie, that sets him apart from his friends and I think that on trips it would be a safety issue too.

'I am not asking for special treatment. I would just like him to be a Scout without compromising on what he believes in.'

Anger: Matthew's mother, Tracy Anne, claims the decision is a 'disgrace' which goes against modern, multi-cultural values

Matthew said: 'It's not fair. I don't want to say a promise that I don't believe in. I really enjoy the Cubs and don't want to feel left out or different from everybody else.'

Asked if she was influencing Matthew, Mrs McVeigh said: 'I stand up for what I believe in and we are giving Matthew morals in life and teaching him to stand up for what he believes in.'

Scout Association rules allow for the word God in the promise to be replaced with other deities according to people's religion. But the guidelines are strict when it comes to the section regarding the Queen.

Association spokesman Chris Foster said: 'For people of other nationalities resident in the UK making the Cub Scout Promise, the phrase may be replaced by "duty to the country in which I am now living".

'However, British subjects must promise to do their duty to the Queen. She is the head of state.'