CAMMY Day has claimed he was the victim of a “coordinated political attack” when he was accused of sending inappropriate messages to Ukrainian refugees after police found no evidence of "criminality".
The former Labour leader of Edinburgh Council stepped down in December over the allegations that he had sent messages asking about refugees’ sexual preferences.
Day attributed the allegations, which were investigated by police, to SNP figures and said he has sought legal advice.
Police Scotland has now confirmed that “no criminality has been established and no-one has been arrested”.
One SNP councillor said Day should be “ashamed” for trying to spin the situation in his favour by claiming a “political conspiracy”.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, Day said he has “used apps for a gay man like me” but denied doing “anything offensive”.
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, Day (below) claimed he had not been contacted or interviewed by police, but that his family, friends, and colleagues had been questioned.
“I’m deeply upset that they had to go through that,” he said.
Day also referenced reports regarding his hosting of a Ukrainian refugee in one of his properties amid the probe.
He added: “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.”
Day was suspended from the Labour party in December 2024 following the allegations, having led Edinburgh council’s minority administration from May 2022.
The allegations suggested Day had sent unsolicited messages to Ukrainian refugees, who felt unable to rebuff him.
Labour peer Lord Foulkes also suggested there was a political element to the allegations.
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,” he said.
“The personal and continuing attacks, which have been clearly politically motivated, have been disgraceful. Those responsible should now apologise.”
Police Scotland said that they had undertaken inquiries into a report of “inappropriate behaviour” but that “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,” they said.
“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 (above), the City of Edinburgh Council’s SNP group leader, told the Sunday Times that 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.”
Previously, it was revealed that Edinburgh council had received complaints regarding Day in 2018.
