The leader of Edinburgh City Council, Labour’s Cammy Day, is under police investigation following allegations of inappropriate behavior. Scottish Labour has confirmed that Day has been suspended from the party pending the outcome of the inquiry.
The allegations, reported by the Sunday Mail, claim that Councillor Day “bombarded Ukrainian refugees” with unsolicited messages. These reportedly included sexually explicit questions, invitations to wine dates, and comments on their appearance.
Two Ukrainian refugees, who fled to Scotland after Russia’s invasion in 2022, told the newspaper they had been approached by Day. They stated they felt unable to ignore his advances due to his prominent position within the council.
A spokesperson for Edinburgh City Council responded: “All matters raised with the chief executive and monitoring officer have been progressed through our established processes in consultation with our independent whistleblowing service, Safecall, and, where appropriate, Police Scotland.”
Scottish Labour Responds
Scottish Labour has taken swift action in light of the allegations. “The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously,” a party spokesperson said. “They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken.”
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar described the allegations as “deeply distressing” during an appearance on BBC Scotland’s Sunday Show. Sarwar stated that the party became aware of the claims on Saturday, immediately suspending Cllr Day. “It is now for the police and council to decide if further investigation is warranted,” Sarwar added, emphasizing that due process should be followed.
Police Scotland Investigation
Police Scotland confirmed that they received a report of inappropriate behavior on October 22 and are currently conducting inquiries to establish the full circumstances.
Cllr Day, who has served as leader of Edinburgh City Council since May 2022, faces increasing pressure to resign. Opposition leaders on the council, including SNP group leader Simita Kumar, have publicly called for his immediate resignation. Similar demands have been made by the leaders of the Liberal Democrat and Conservative groups.
Public Reaction
The allegations have sparked widespread concern, particularly due to the vulnerable position of the refugees involved. Many are questioning the leadership and accountability of public officials, with calls for greater transparency and robust measures to address such incidents.
The investigation remains ongoing, with both police and council authorities expected to determine the appropriate course of action.
