Latest news with #CammyDay
Daily Record
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Ex-council chief Cammy Day's 'political smear' claims challenged by complainer
SUNDAY MAIL EXCLUSIVE: A constituent of Day complained about 'persistent sexual messaging' by the former council leader in 2023. A man who complained about sexual harassment by former council leader Cammy Day has challenged the politician's claims of a conspiracy against him. Day quit as head of Edinburgh's local authority in December and was suspended from Scottish Labour after the Sunday Mail revealed he had sent sexual messages to Ukrainian refugees. The police were already investigating a complaint of inappropriate communication against him but announced earlier this month that 'no criminality has been established'. The 50-year-old councillor said the whole affair had been a politically -motivated attempt to ruin his life, blaming the SNP in particular. But one of Day's constituents, who complained to Scottish Labour two years before the latest revelations emerged, said he was 'disgusted' by his claims. He said: 'It has been frustrating to read that he is claiming it is a political smear. 'I am not in elected politics, I try not to pay too much attention to politics for my own sanity if I'm honest. I've worked in financial services for 15 years and I happen to be his constituent. 'I complained to Scottish Labour in 2023, long before any of this was in the media. 'While the police have deemed his behaviour not to reach a criminal threshold, the issue I have is that it is completely inappropriate. 'I felt that at the time, and still do. That's why I complained.' Day said there had been a coordinated attack against him, alleging 'things were leaked to the media, leaked to the Labour Party and reported to the police all at the same time… and I think it was an orchestrated political campaign against me'. But the man, who does not want to be named, claimed Day had been 'relentless' in his messages to him through gay dating app Grindr years before any of the latest allegations were made public.. He added: 'He would send pictures to try to prompt a response and if I blocked him new accounts would spring up using the same pictures. 'At one point, he tried to add me on Instagram and I declined it. Last year when I went to vote, I saw him standing outside the polling station and it made me really uncomfortable. 'Whether it is in public or professional life, people who are in positions of power should not be behaving like that. The way he has tried to brush it under the carpet, his complete lack of any humility is what I find incredibly frustrating.' The man hit out at the Labour Party's handling of his complaint. He said: 'I told them what was going on, that I was a constituent. I told them I didn't want to go to the police, I didn't want to speak to the media but I wanted them to quietly deal with the issue. 'Then they tried to put me through a grotesque process to progress the complaint and nothing happened. When I saw the initial reports coming out last year, I knew I had previously complained but Anas Sarwar was saying he had no knowledge of any complaints. I do not feel like my complaint was handled properly the first time.' Along with the 2023 complaint to Labour, two whistleblowing disclosures were made about Day at that time. Former council chief executive Andrew Kerr received a complaint in December 2023 and another was made the following October. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Edinburgh City Council has now launched an independent review of its handling of previous complaints, including what they claim is a 'potential' complaint against Day made in 2006 – before he was a councillor. The Ethical Standards Commission is also probing a complaint against Day. The Sunday Mail asked Scottish Labour if it was willing to accept the man's offer to discuss his 2023 complaint and whether party leaders agreed with Day that he had been the victim of a political smear. Labour said it was unable to comment while an investigation was ongoing, adding: 'The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously. 'They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures and any appropriate action is taken.'
Sky News
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Former council boss accused of 'inappropriate messages' on dating app is cleared by police
Police have found "no evidence of criminality" following an investigation into alleged inappropriate messages sent by the former leader of the City of Edinburgh Council. Cammy Day stepped down as leader in December and was suspended by Scottish Labour pending the outcome of a probe. His resignation followed a story in the Sunday Mail in which he was accused of sending messages to Ukrainian refugees via a dating app, including asking sexual questions. Now four months on, Mr Day said he was not interviewed by police and described the situation as a "coordinated political attack". The councillor said he has sought legal action as he attributed the allegations to SNP figures. Police Scotland confirmed "no criminality has been established and no one has been arrested". Speaking to The Sunday Times, Mr Day said he has "used apps for a gay man like me" but denied doing "anything offensive". He told the newspaper: "I've chatted with gay men on an app. The content of that chat I don't think is relevant. I've had a chat with another gay man, we've exchanged pictures together, we've had chats. We've maybe met and had a drink, or maybe not. That's what people do." Mr Day said it had been the "most difficult experience" of his professional life. He added: "I'm grateful it's over. I was not contacted or interviewed by the police but many of my friends, family, and colleagues were questioned for hours about claims that were never put directly to me. I'm deeply upset that they had to go through that. "I'm also hugely frustrated - as I know others will be too - that thousands of hours of police and council officers' time have been wasted investigating what would seem to be nothing more than a coordinated political attack designed to undermine the leadership of this city." SNP, Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors had urged Mr Day to step down as leader over the allegations. Simita Kumar, the City of Edinburgh Council's SNP group leader, told the Sunday Times that Mr Day's claims were a "gross distortion" and offensive to complainants. She said: "His sexuality is not and has never been the issue. "What is at issue is the serious allegations that he used his position of public trust to target and intimidate vulnerable people. "Day should feel ashamed for trying to spin this as a political conspiracy."
Telegraph
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Sex messages row was political plot, says former Edinburgh council leader
The former leader of Edinburgh council has said he was a victim of a 'coordinated political attack' after being cleared of sending inappropriate messages to Ukrainian refugees. Police have said 'no evidence of criminality' was found in an investigation into Cammy Day, who was forced to step down as leader of the Labour-led local authority in December after allegations that he 'bombarded' Ukrainian refugees with messages, including asking sexually explicit questions. He resigned following a story in the Sunday Mail and said he would cooperate with a police investigation. Four months after resigning, Mr Day said he was not interviewed by police. He said he has sought legal advice, and attributed the allegations to SNP figures. 'A coordinated political attack' Mr Day said: 'I was not contacted or interviewed by the police but many of my friends, family and colleagues were questioned for hours about claims that were never put directly to me. 'I'm also hugely frustrated that thousands of hours of police and council officers' time have been wasted investigating what would seem to be nothing more than a coordinated political attack.' Speaking to The Sunday Times, Mr Day said he has 'used apps for a gay man like me' but denied doing 'anything offensive'. He told the newspaper: 'I've chatted with gay men on an app. The content of that chat I don't think is relevant. I've had a chat with another gay man, we've exchanged pictures together, we've had chats. We've maybe met and had a drink, or maybe not. That's what people do.' Cllr Jason Rust, chairman of the Conservative group of councillors, said: 'The defenestration of Cllr Day was damaging not only personally for Cammy, but for the council. I am extremely concerned about the reputation of our council and the selective leaking of information. 'If this was a political hit-job, then serious questions now have to be asked.' 'An attempt to evade accountability' Simita Kumar, Edinburgh council's SNP group leader, told The Sunday Times that Mr Day's claims were a 'gross distortion' and offensive to complainants, including Ukrainian refugees who had come forward. She said: 'Let's be clear: what Cllr Day chooses to do in his personal life is his business. His sexuality is not and has never been the issue. What is at issue is the serious allegations that he used his position of public trust to target and intimidate vulnerable people. 'It is a desperate attempt to evade accountability to the very serious complaints that have been made about his behaviour. Day should feel ashamed for trying to spin this as a political conspiracy.' A Police Scotland spokesman said: 'Following a report relating to inappropriate behaviour, extensive inquiries have been carried out, no criminality has been established and no one has been arrested. 'Time is no barrier to our inquiries and any further information received will be assessed.' The force said a previous report had been made about Mr Day last year, but no criminality had been established in that case.
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sex messages row was political plot, says former Edinburgh council leader
The former leader of Edinburgh council has said he was a victim of a 'coordinated political attack' after being cleared of sending inappropriate messages to Ukrainian refugees. Police have said 'no evidence of criminality' was found in an investigation into Cammy Day, who was forced to step down as leader of the Labour-led local authority in December after allegations that he 'bombarded' Ukrainian refugees with messages, including asking sexually explicit questions. He resigned following a story in the Sunday Mail and said he would cooperate with a police investigation. Four months after resigning, Mr Day said he was not interviewed by police. He said he has sought legal advice, and attributed the allegations to SNP figures. Mr Day said: 'I was not contacted or interviewed by the police but many of my friends, family and colleagues were questioned for hours about claims that were never put directly to me. 'I'm also hugely frustrated that thousands of hours of police and council officers' time have been wasted investigating what would seem to be nothing more than a coordinated political attack.' Speaking to The Sunday Times, Mr Day said he has 'used apps for a gay man like me' but denied doing 'anything offensive'. He told the newspaper: 'I've chatted with gay men on an app. The content of that chat I don't think is relevant. I've had a chat with another gay man, we've exchanged pictures together, we've had chats. We've maybe met and had a drink, or maybe not. That's what people do.' Cllr Jason Rust, chairman of the Conservative group of councillors, said: 'The defenestration of Cllr Day was damaging not only personally for Cammy, but for the council. I am extremely concerned about the reputation of our council and the selective leaking of information. 'If this was a political hit-job, then serious questions now have to be asked.' Simita Kumar, Edinburgh council's SNP group leader, told The Sunday Times that Mr Day's claims were a 'gross distortion' and offensive to complainants, including Ukrainian refugees who had come forward. She said: 'Let's be clear: what Cllr Day chooses to do in his personal life is his business. His sexuality is not and has never been the issue. What is at issue is the serious allegations that he used his position of public trust to target and intimidate vulnerable people. 'It is a desperate attempt to evade accountability to the very serious complaints that have been made about his behaviour. Day should feel ashamed for trying to spin this as a political conspiracy.' A Police Scotland spokesman said: 'Following a report relating to inappropriate behaviour, extensive inquiries have been carried out, no criminality has been established and no one has been arrested. 'Time is no barrier to our inquiries and any further information received will be assessed.' The force said a previous report had been made about Mr Day last year, but no criminality had been established in that case. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
