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Labour council leader quits over alleged messages | Labour council leader quits over alleged messages |
(33 minutes later) | |
Cammy Day has led the Labour-run administration since 2022 | Cammy Day has led the Labour-run administration since 2022 |
The leader of City of Edinburgh Council has resigned after police launched an investigation into an allegation of inappropriate behaviour. | The leader of City of Edinburgh Council has resigned after police launched an investigation into an allegation of inappropriate behaviour. |
Labour's Cammy Day had been suspended by the party pending the outcome of the probe. | Labour's Cammy Day had been suspended by the party pending the outcome of the probe. |
It was reported by the Sunday Mail, external that Day had "bombarded" Ukrainian refugees with messages, including asking sexually explicit questions. | It was reported by the Sunday Mail, external that Day had "bombarded" Ukrainian refugees with messages, including asking sexually explicit questions. |
He confirmed his decision to stand down as council leader in a letter to the chief executive. | He confirmed his decision to stand down as council leader in a letter to the chief executive. |
He said in a statement: "The recent commentary on my personal life is detracting from the important work this Labour-led council does for the people of Edinburgh. | He said in a statement: "The recent commentary on my personal life is detracting from the important work this Labour-led council does for the people of Edinburgh. |
"It undermines the dedicated efforts of my colleagues and council officers. | "It undermines the dedicated efforts of my colleagues and council officers. |
"That's why it's time for me to step aside as leader." | "That's why it's time for me to step aside as leader." |
Day said he had not yet been contacted by police, but said he would fully cooperate with their investigation. | Day said he had not yet been contacted by police, but said he would fully cooperate with their investigation. |
He added: "I am hugely proud of what we've achieved for the capital during my time as leader and truly believe that Edinburgh is a better, fairer city as a result. | He added: "I am hugely proud of what we've achieved for the capital during my time as leader and truly believe that Edinburgh is a better, fairer city as a result. |
"I'm also proud to have led a way of successfully doing politics across divides, finding a way to deliver on our priorities for our people and our city. | "I'm also proud to have led a way of successfully doing politics across divides, finding a way to deliver on our priorities for our people and our city. |
"I love Edinburgh and it has been an enormous privilege to have played a part in its success." | "I love Edinburgh and it has been an enormous privilege to have played a part in its success." |
Cammy Day become an Edinburgh councillor in 2008 | Cammy Day become an Edinburgh councillor in 2008 |
One of the refugees contacted by Day told BBC Scotland News the council leader sent them messages on social media and added them on a dating site. | One of the refugees contacted by Day told BBC Scotland News the council leader sent them messages on social media and added them on a dating site. |
The Ukrainian, who came to Scotland following Russia's invasion in 2022, claimed Day asked them sexually explicit questions and suggested meeting for wine. | The Ukrainian, who came to Scotland following Russia's invasion in 2022, claimed Day asked them sexually explicit questions and suggested meeting for wine. |
The refugee said they were uncomfortable with the contact but felt pressure to respond given his status - and were afraid of his influence. | The refugee said they were uncomfortable with the contact but felt pressure to respond given his status - and were afraid of his influence. |
A former community development worker, Day moved into politics in his 30s, becoming a councillor in 2008. | A former community development worker, Day moved into politics in his 30s, becoming a councillor in 2008. |
He has led a minority Labour administration since 2022. | He has led a minority Labour administration since 2022. |
Police Scotland said it was investigating a complaint of inappropriate behaviour made on 22 October. | Police Scotland said it was investigating a complaint of inappropriate behaviour made on 22 October. |
The force also confirmed that a report had been made about Day earlier this year but no criminality had been established. | The force also confirmed that a report had been made about Day earlier this year but no criminality had been established. |
City of Edinburgh council said it dealt with complaints through "established processes" in consultation with an independent whistleblowing service and, where appropriate, Police Scotland. | City of Edinburgh council said it dealt with complaints through "established processes" in consultation with an independent whistleblowing service and, where appropriate, Police Scotland. |
SNP, Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors had called on Day to step down as leader. | SNP, Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors had called on Day to step down as leader. |
Anas Sarwar said Cammy Day was immediately suspended when his party became aware of the allegations | Anas Sarwar said Cammy Day was immediately suspended when his party became aware of the allegations |
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar described the allegations as "deeply distressing". | Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar described the allegations as "deeply distressing". |
He told BBC Scotland's Sunday Show that the party became aware of the claims on Saturday and Day was immediately suspended. | He told BBC Scotland's Sunday Show that the party became aware of the claims on Saturday and Day was immediately suspended. |
A Scottish Labour spokesperson said the party took all complaints seriously and that they are investigated in line with party policy. | A Scottish Labour spokesperson said the party took all complaints seriously and that they are investigated in line with party policy. |
First Minister John Swinney described the allegations as "deeply concerning". He said any complaints should be investigated "fully and comprehensively". | First Minister John Swinney described the allegations as "deeply concerning". He said any complaints should be investigated "fully and comprehensively". |
SNP councillor Simita Kumar said it was "unquestionable" that Day had to stand down. | |
"This resignation should have come sooner, and in my view should have come with an apology," she posted on X, external. | |
The Ukrainian consulate in Edinburgh has also expressed concerns about the reports. | The Ukrainian consulate in Edinburgh has also expressed concerns about the reports. |
It said it "looks forward to the results of the investigation and expresses hope for a fair resolution of this case". | It said it "looks forward to the results of the investigation and expresses hope for a fair resolution of this case". |
Edinburgh council parties have been invited to offer their nominations for the next leader ahead of a full council meeting next Thursday. | Edinburgh council parties have been invited to offer their nominations for the next leader ahead of a full council meeting next Thursday. |
The resignation of Cammy Day has the potential to lead to a change in the administration in Edinburgh - not simply a new council leader. | The resignation of Cammy Day has the potential to lead to a change in the administration in Edinburgh - not simply a new council leader. |
In Scottish councils, it is rare for one party to have an overall majority. | In Scottish councils, it is rare for one party to have an overall majority. |
There is no rule which says the single biggest party has to be part of the administration. Deals have to be done. | There is no rule which says the single biggest party has to be part of the administration. Deals have to be done. |
In Edinburgh, the SNP is the single biggest party but is in opposition. | In Edinburgh, the SNP is the single biggest party but is in opposition. |
Instead Labour governs as a minority with support from Lib Dem and Conservative councillors. | Instead Labour governs as a minority with support from Lib Dem and Conservative councillors. |
Labour will be hoping to stay in charge of the administration but this is not a foregone conclusion. | Labour will be hoping to stay in charge of the administration but this is not a foregone conclusion. |