The leader of the City of Edinburgh Council has resigned amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards Ukrainian refugees.
Cammy Day is being investigated by Police Scotland following a complaint and has been administratively suspended by Scottish Labour pending the outcome of a probe.
Mr Day, who has led the local authority since May 2022, had been urged to step down ahead of his announcement.
In a statement on Monday afternoon, he said: “I have today resigned as leader of the City of Edinburgh Council.
“The recent commentary on my personal life is detracting from the important work this Labour-led council does for the people 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 have yet to be contacted by the police but want to reiterate that I will cooperate fully with their ongoing inquiries.”
It comes after the Sunday Mail spoke to two Ukrainian refugees who said they received messages from Mr Day via social media and dating sites.
The councillor was said to have asked their sexual preferences, tried to meet up for dates, and sent lots of flirty emojis in reaction to their online posts.
One of the Ukrainians, who fled the Russian invasion in 2022, told the newspaper they felt “under pressure” to respond given Mr Day’s status and were “afraid of his influence”.
It is understood police are examining a report that was made to the council’s whistleblowing service.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On Tuesday 22 October 2024, we received a report of inappropriate behaviour.
“Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”
Speaking on BBC Scotland’s Sunday Show, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar described the allegations as “deeply distressing” and said his party took “immediate action” when it became aware of the claims on Saturday.
A Scottish Labour spokesperson added: “The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously.
“They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken.”
Mr Day, who appears to have deleted his X account, is the councillor for Edinburgh’s Forth ward and is one of his party’s most prominent local authority leaders.
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Councillor Simita Kumar, who leads the SNP group, branded the allegations against Mr Day “beyond shocking” and called for him to resign “immediately”.
She has since written to the local authority’s chief executive, Paul Lawrence, urging him to “suspend all council access and privileges for Councillor Day effective immediately” while the allegations are “fully investigated”.
The Scottish Conservatives had also called for Mr Day to step aside while investigations are under way, with First Minister John Swinney additionally describing the allegations as “very serious”.
The council’s chief executive Mr Lawrence said: “I have today received Cammy Day’s resignation as council leader.
“I will now take a report to the next meeting of council on 19 December seeking nominations for his replacement.”
