After an investigation into alleged inappropriate messages sent by the former leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, police have concluded that there is «no evidence of criminality.» Cammy Day resigned from his position as leader in December and was suspended by Scottish Labour pending the outcome of the probe.
His resignation came after a report in the Sunday Mail accused him of sending messages to Ukrainian refugees through a dating app, which included asking sexual questions.
Four months later, Mr. Day stated that he was not interviewed by the police and described the situation as a «coordinated political attack.» He also mentioned that he has taken legal action, attributing the allegations to SNP figures.
Police in Scotland have confirmed that «no criminality has been established, and no arrests have been made.» A police spokesperson added, «Time is not a barrier to our investigations, and any additional information received will be evaluated.»
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Mr. Day admitted to using apps as a gay man but denied engaging in any offensive behavior. He explained, «I have conversed with other gay men on an app. The specifics of those conversations, I believe, are irrelevant. I have chatted with another gay man, exchanged pictures, and had conversations. We may have met for a drink, or maybe not. That’s simply how people interact.»
Mr. Day described the ordeal as the «most challenging experience» of his professional life.
He expressed, «I am relieved that it is over. While I was not contacted or interviewed by the police, many of my friends, family, and colleagues were extensively questioned about allegations that were never directly presented to me. It saddens me deeply that they had to endure that.» He also voiced his frustration, stating, «I, and I’m sure others, are greatly frustrated by the thousands of hours wasted by police and council officers investigating what appears to be nothing more than a coordinated political attack aimed at undermining the city’s leadership.»
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Members of the SNP, Conservative, and Liberal Democrat parties had called for Mr. Day’s resignation as leader following the allegations.
Simita Kumar, the SNP group leader for the City of Edinburgh Council, rebuked Mr. Day’s claims in an interview with the Sunday Times, calling them a «gross distortion» and offensive to the complainants.
She remarked, «His sexuality is not and has never been the issue.
«The real concern lies in the serious allegations that he abused his position of public trust to target and intimidate vulnerable individuals.
«Day should feel ashamed for trying to portray this as a political conspiracy.»