The chief of the Metropolis of Edinburgh Council has resigned amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour in direction of Ukrainian refugees.
Cammy Day is being investigated by Police Scotland following a grievance and has been administratively suspended by Scottish Labour pending the result of a probe.
Mr Day, who has led the native authority since Could 2022, had been urged to step down forward of his announcement.
In a press release on Monday afternoon, he stated: “I have today resigned as leader of the City of Edinburgh Council.
“The latest commentary on my private life is detracting from the essential work this Labour-led council does for the folks of Edinburgh.
“It undermines the dedicated efforts of my colleagues and council officers. That’s why it’s time for me to step aside as leader.
“I’ve but to be contacted by the police however need to reiterate that I’ll cooperate totally with their ongoing inquiries.”
It comes after the Sunday Mail spoke to 2 Ukrainian refugees who stated they obtained messages from Mr Day through social media and relationship websites.
The councillor was stated to have requested their sexual preferences, tried to fulfill up for dates, and despatched numerous flirty emojis in response to their on-line posts.
It’s understood police are inspecting a report that was made to the council’s whistleblowing service.
A Police Scotland spokesperson stated: “On Tuesday 22 October 2024, we received a report of inappropriate behaviour.
“Inquiries are ongoing to ascertain the complete circumstances.”
Speaking on BBC Scotland’s Sunday Show, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar described the allegations as “deeply distressing” and said his party took “instant motion” when it became aware of the claims on Saturday.
A Scottish Labour spokesperson added: “The Labour Get together takes all complaints critically.
“They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken.”
Mr Day, who seems to have deleted his X account, is the councillor for Edinburgh’s Forth ward and is one in all his celebration’s most outstanding native authority leaders.
Councillor Simita Kumar, who leads the SNP group, branded the allegations in opposition to Mr Day “beyond shocking” and known as for him to resign “immediately”.
She has since written to the native authority’s chief govt, Paul Lawrence, urging him to “suspend all council access and privileges for Councillor Day effective immediately” whereas the allegations are “fully investigated”.
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The Scottish Conservatives had additionally known as for Mr Day to step apart whereas investigations are beneath approach, with First Minister John Swinney moreover describing the allegations as “very serious”.
The council’s chief govt Mr Lawrence stated: “I have today received Cammy Day’s resignation as council leader.
“I’ll now take a report back to the subsequent assembly of council on 19 December searching for nominations for his substitute.”
