SCOTTISH LABOUR received a sexual harassment complaint against their former Edinburgh Council leader Cammy Day “almost two years” before he was ultimately suspended.
An investigation by the Sunday Mail has found that the party received a complaint from a constituent saying they received “persistent and unsolicited nude pictures” from him.
Day was suspended and resigned as the leader of Edinburgh council earlier this month after he was accused of sending sexual messages to Ukrainian refugees.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar claimed it was the first he had heard of the allegations.
But the Sunday Mail reports that a separate complaint was sent to Scottish Labour’s then general secretary, former MSP James Kelly, in March 2023.
It read: “I am writing to you in relation to the Scottish Labour leader at Edinburgh Council, Cammy Day.
“I am a constituent currently represented by Councillor Day.
“For the past couple of years Councillor Day has intermittently and proactively messaged me on [a] dating application.
“Despite my refusal to respond, he has often been persistent and on numerous occasions sent unsolicited nude pictures that have made me feel deeply uncomfortable.
“The reason why I have now chosen to come forward is that recent media attention on Edinburgh Council’s budget has unfortunately meant that Cammy’s visibility has increased and, with it, so has my own discomfort.
“Having confided in a couple of friends, I have found out I’m not the only one who has experienced this unwanted behaviour.
“I want to make it clear that I care about the mental health of people in my community and I do not want to cause any harm to Councillor Day’s mental health or wellbeing, but the behaviour is completely unacceptable and below the standard I would expect from an elected politician.”
The person making the complaint was reportedly asked by the party whether they wanted the complaint to be made “formal” and an independent investigator appointed.
But they declined, saying it was not a process they wished to put themselves through.
“I imagine it would be harder for individuals in more serious cases. It places the burden on the victim of harassment to revisit events,” they added.
“In my particular case, it refers to Cammy’s persistence in sending unsolicited nude pictures, something he has done to many others over a period of years – and somehow he manages to lead one of the largest councils in Scotland.
“It should not be difficult for the Labour Party to validate the claims or to have a conversation with Cammy about his conduct without putting people through such a process.
“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.”
The complaint was closed by the party sexual harassment team less than a month later, on March 28 2023.
Sarwar has still insisted that he had no knowledge of the complaint, however.
He told the newspaper: “Let me be really clear – 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.
“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.
“I had no notification about any [previous] complaint.”
Police Scotland are currently investigating a complaint about sexually inappropriate messages. Edinburgh Council is also liaising with the Ethical Standards Commission.
Meanwhile, Labour have hung on as the administration of Edinburgh City Council despite the scandal.
Unionist parties in the capital teamed up to support the Labour administration continuing, with Jane Meagher set to become council leader.
A City of Edinburgh Council spokeswoman said: “All matters raised with the chief executive and monitoring officer are being progressed through our established processes in consultation with our independent whistleblowing service, Safecall, and, where appropriate, Police Scotland and the Ethical Standards Commissioner.
"Given the ongoing investigations, we can’t comment further at this stage.”
A Labour spokesman said: “The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously. They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken.”
Police Scotland said: “Enquiries are ongoing.”
Cammy Day has been approached for comment.
