A FORMER Scottish Labour council leader once tipped to be first minister has been banned from the road after being caught drink driving.
Steven Purcell was more than three times over the limit when his Mini Cooper was pulled in on the M77 motorway in Glasgow’s Southside last October 10.
Purcell – who led Glasgow Council between 2005 and 2010 – quit his post after suffering problems with alcohol.
He was once hailed as a rising star of the Labour Party in Scotland but he resigned as leader and councillor of the Drumchapel and Anniesland ward within days of checking himself into a rehab clinic.
Purcell went on to run a consultancy business in the summer of 2010 which advised on public relations and communications.
First offender Purcell pleaded guilty on Wednesday at Glasgow Sheriff Court to drink driving.
A separate charge of careless driving had a not guilty plea accepted by the Crown. It was claimed that he drove at excessive speeds.
The court heard Purcell, of Newton Mearns, was driving on the M77 at the time.
Prosecutor Eilidh Macdonald said: "Police had reason to stop the vehicle and it was indicated to do so using blue lights.
"A strong smell of alcohol was noted and Purcell was required to provide a specimen of breath."
Purcell blew a reading of 76 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath when the limit is 22 microgrammes.
Ron Mackenna, defending, told the court: "He is understandably embarrassed and apologises for the time wasted on this case.
"He is self-employed and runs a small company and there will be consequences due to being unable to drive."
Sheriff Allan McKay said: "I give you credit for pleading guilty at the first opportunity and apply a discount to any penalties."
Purcell was disqualified for 12 months as well as fined £520 for the matter.
