Report on former council leader Cammy Day approved
Councillor Katrina Faccenda spoke out to say that she '[does] not welcome' Cllr Day's return into the party's group as Edinburgh Council agreed steps to address the council's 'culture of hospitality' – including drinking events on city property – and to improve the process of handling complaints against councillors.
They were part of the recommendations from an independent report into the city's handling of misconduct allegations against Cllr Day.
Directly addressed Councillor Day – who attended the meeting remotely – Cllr Faccenda said: 'I have been subjected to a drunken tirade by Councillor Day that actually forced me to leave a Christmas party in tears.'
She also said that issues in the party had led her to sleepless nights, and that she had considered not attending Thursday's full council meeting due to Day's possible presence.
Cllr Day resigned as council leader in December last year over allegations that he had sent unwanted inappropriate images to, and harassed, two Ukrainian refugees.
He was administratively suspended by the Labour Party soon after, pending an investigation.
The council agreed to hold an investigation into the city's handling of misconduct complaints against him and other councillors.
It was debated by councillors on Thursday, and found that the city had 'inadequately' handled complaints into his behaviour.
It further suggested that the council's 'culture of hospitality' – including drinking events on city property – needed to be addressed.
Councillors have agreed to take action on recommendations made by the Dunion Report, including reforms to the city's whistleblowing system and improving safeguarding in the council.
They also noted issues with the city's process for staff to complain against councillors, which can see complainants cross-examined in a Standards Committee meeting by the councillor they are making accusations against.
Further, they agreed to request that dedicated safeguarding staff are placed in the City Chambers, to support complaints made by staff there.
Cllr Day was recently readmitted to the Labour Party and the council's Labour group after a police investigation cleared him of criminal wrongdoing.
And an investigation by Labour cleared him to be returned to the party, with recent press reports suggesting he may be appointed the convener of a council committee.
SNP Cllr Simita Kumar said the report revealed a 'deeply troubling catalogue of allegations against Councillor Day'.
'The report references several instances and a number of individuals over a significant period of time,' she said. 'I am appalled to read the complainant's disclosures were dismissed as gossip.
'While councillor Day's actions may not have crossed a criminal threshold, his conduct is not compatible with the standards expected of us.'
And she said the decision to readmit Cllr day to the Labour Party was 'rushed and reckless', adding: 'This is a Labour group that have abandoned their moral compass.'
Earlier in the meeting, council leader Jane Meagher strongly affirmed that she welcomed the findings of the Dunion Report, which investigated the handling of reports against Cllr Day.
SNP group leader Simita Kumar asked Cllr Meagher if she'd seen the full contents of the report.
Cllr Meagher replied: 'As you know, as council leader, I take all complaints seriously. The party investigates all complaints in line with their rules and procedures.
'These investigations are done by specially trained staff in the party's governance and legal units.
'Quite rightly, I am not privy to any details of the Labour Party's deliberations.
'I do know that, after an investigation by the Labour Party, Cllr Day's administrative suspension has been lifted, and no conditions were attached.
'I look forward to working with Cammy again.'
Cllr Kumar also asked: 'Cllr Day has been readmitted to the Labour group. Can the council leader tell us what steps she has taken to assure herself that Cllr Day is fit to sit as an elected representative?'
Cllr Meagher replied: 'In response, I would like to draw back a little, and remind ourselves about the purpose of the Dunion Report.
'The purpose was not to reinvestigate any allegations, in this case against Cllr Day, but indeed about any elected member.
'It seems to me, in terms of double jeopardy, that it is morally, ethically, and possibly legally wrong to try somebody twice.
'In terms of the Dunion report, and my own commitment to supporting and working through, and enacting the recommendations in the report, then that will be my aim, rather than looking at what has already been dealt with by the police, by the Standards Commission, and the Labour Party itself.
'In terms of the Labour Party, it fully investigated any complaints about Cllr Day, he has been readmitted to the Labour Party without any conditions, therefore he is a councillor member of the Labour party, and therefore of the Labour group. Thank you.'
Cllr Faccenda closed her speech by saying she would not back away from the Labour Party, and said she 'looked forward to hearing from [Cllr Day's] lawyers'.
Earlier in the meeting, independent councillor and former Labour member Ross McKenzie challenged the party's whip, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, over a Facebook post in support of Cllr Day.
Fighting for time with the Lord Provost, Cllr McKenzie asked Cllr Jenkinson about a post he made after the publication of the Dunion Report, which referred to the investigations into Cllr Day as a 'political hatchet job'.
Cllr Jenkinson did not look at Cllr McKenzie as he was challenged, instead staring directly ahead.
Conservative councillor Phil Doggart said senior officers had 'failed in their duty' in handling complaints made against Cllr Day.
He continued to address councillors: 'All it takes for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing. We [councillors] are responsible for the conduct of this organisation.'
By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter
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