Former Council Leader Faced Unsolicited Message Complaint Last Year

It has come to light that Cammy Day, previously the leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, faced accusations of transmitting unsolicited sexual messages nearly two years prior. The Labour politician resigned from his position earlier this month following claims that he “bombarded” Ukrainian refugees with messages. An investigation by police is currently underway concerning an allegation of inappropriate behaviour against him. Mr. Day, who Labour suspended while awaiting the investigation’s findings, was approached for comment. A spokesperson for Scottish Labour stated that the party treats all complaints with gravity and conducts investigations in accordance with party policy. Mr. Day assumed the leadership of Edinburgh City Council in 2022. The Sunday Mail reported that in March 2023, the party’s general secretary received a complaint from a constituent. This complaint alleged that Mr. Day had sent them “persistent and unsolicited” nude pictures via a dating application. The individual who complained stated that the messages caused them to feel “deeply uncomfortable.” They informed James Kelly, then the party’s general secretary and a former MSP, of their wish for Labour to address Mr. Day’s conduct informally, bypassing a formal complaint procedure. The person further remarked: “If that means that the Labour Party will take no action against a perpetrator of sexual harassment, then that’s a decision for the Labour Party.” It is understood that a formal complaint was not lodged when these allegations were passed on to independent investigators. Anas Sarwar, who has served as Scottish Labour leader since 2021, informed the Sunday Mail that he was unaware of the complaint from March 2023. He stated: “We have an independent complaints procedure so if a complaint is made to the Labour Party, the complaint does not come to me and the independent group that looks at complaints does not notify me, as leader, until there is the opening of an investigation.” He continued: “As soon as evidence was shared with me – as it was by the Sunday Mail earlier this month – of alleged inappropriate behaviour, then he was suspended the same day.” Mr. Day, who retains his position as a councillor but has been succeeded as council leader by Labour’s Jane Meagher, has subsequently faced new allegations. Two men informed The Times that they received unsolicited messages from Mr. Day on a dating application. He was accused of transmitting naked images of himself and reportedly became aggressive when his messages were not acknowledged. Scottish Labour indicated that they had not been apprised of the allegations reported in The Times. The City of Edinburgh Council stated that it addresses complaints using “established processes,” in collaboration with an independent whistleblowing service and, when suitable, Police Scotland. Police Scotland is conducting an investigation into a report of inappropriate behaviour filed on 22 October. The police force noted that an earlier report concerning Mr. Day had been made this year, but no criminal activity was identified in that instance.