Police find ‘no evidence of criminality’ in Cammy Day investigation

Police have said “no evidence of criminality” was found in an investigation into the former leader of the City of Edinburgh Council who was accused of sending inappropriate messages to Ukrainian refugees.

Councillor Cammy Day, the ex-leader of the Labour-led local authority, stepped down in December after allegations that he sent messages asking about refugees’ sexual preferences on a dating app.

He resigned following a story in the Sunday Mail and said he would co-operate with a police investigation.

Four months after resigning, Mr Day said he was not interviewed by police and described the situation as a “co-ordinated political attack”.

He said he has sought legal action, and 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”.

This has been the most difficult experience of my professional life and I’m grateful it’s over

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.”

In a statement, Mr Day added: “While I knew in myself there was no case to answer, I am nonetheless relieved that the police investigation has reached the same conclusion and been closed without any action being taken.

“This has been the most difficult experience of my professional life and 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 co-ordinated political attack designed to undermine the leadership of this city.

“With spurious claims about my landlord arrangements having also been shown to be completely without merit, my focus now is on getting back to supporting my constituents and working alongside the council leader and Labour colleagues to serve our residents and promote our great capital city.”

Labour peer Lord Foulkes said: “I know that the last four months have been really difficult for Cammy awaiting the outcome of these investigations and I am pleased that, as expected, they have resulted in no action being taken.

“The personal and continuing attacks, which have been clearly politically motivated, have been disgraceful. Those responsible should now apologise.

“Cammy has been a great leader and impressive champion for Edinburgh and, thankfully, can now return to representing his constituents and helping to promote our great city.”

Councillor Jason Rust, chairman of the Conservative group of councillors, said: “The defenestration of Councillor 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.

“For local democracy to flourish we need the battles to be won on policy, in debate and at the ballot box, not a toxic atmosphere or campaign of smear stories, falsehoods and innuendo.

“Months of police and council officers time has been taken up at what cost? Having cleared his name in relation to the police inquiry and the baseless landlord registration allegations, there are clearly questions for others to answer.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson 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.

“I would urge anyone who wishes to report a crime, regardless of when it happened, to contact us so we can conduct a thorough and professional investigation.”

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, including Ukrainian refugees who had come forward.

She said: “Let’s be clear: what Councillor 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.”