A top Scots referee has stepped down over historic offensive Facebook messages concerning Celtic and their manager Neil Lennon and apologised for his actions.

Stephen Brown, 35, posted a series of unsavoury sectarian, discriminatory and homophobic social media posts. The messages, seen by Sportsmail and now deleted, date back to 2010.

Written shortly before the Scottish FA sacked former referees chief Hugh Dallas for forwarding an offensive email concerning the Pope, the governing body were informed of Brown's indiscretions in 2014 and the matter was referred to the Judicial Panel.

Stephen Brown has stepped down as a referee after offensive social media posts emerged

The independent panel issued only a censure following a disciplinary hearing and Brown's immediate offer to resign was turned down by his local referee association. It's understood the SFA were 'surprised' by the tribunal outcome but bound by the independent finding at the time.

Progressing through the refereeing ranks the official became eligible to officiate at games involving both Celtic and Rangers when he reached Category 1 status this summer.

But, under the governing body's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Plan the position of one of the rising stars of Scottish refereeing has effectively become untenable - with Chief Executive Ian Maxwell clear that the historic baggage would make it impossible for Brown to take charge of matches involving or with implications for the Old Firm.

The messages, posted on Facebook in 2010, concerned Celtic manager Neil Lennon

On Friday night, Brown stressed he took 'full responsibility for the posts, made during a period of great personal difficulty.'

He added: 'I expressed deep regret and remorse at the time and the person I am now is unrecognisable to the person I was then. I am embarrassed by what I wrote but there were personal issues I was dealing with that, while they don't mitigate that behaviour, explain it.

'Refereeing has given me a second chance in life and I am grateful for that opportunity. I am devastated that my actions from the past will prevent me from fulfilling my potential as a match official but appreciate that perceptions linger, regardless of how much sorrow or regret I express.'