John Swinney has said allegations against Edinburgh City Council leader Cammy Day are “very serious”.
The First Minister spoke out after it was revealed the senior councillor is being investigated by police following a complaint of “inappropriate behaviour”.
The Sunday Mail, the Record’s sister title, first revealed how Day, 50, faced accusations from two refugees who arrived in Scotland to flee the war in their homeland.
One Ukrainian national described how they were bombarded with messages from the politician when they arrived in Edinburgh.
The messages show Day asking sexually explicit questions, sending love heart and kissing emojis and repeatedly asking the individual if they want to “meet up for wine”.
Most of them were unanswered by the refugee. Day also contacted them on a dating app where the messages were more sexually explicit.
Scottish Labour quickly suspended the council leader, who is facing calls from opponents to stand down.
The First Minister today refused to comment on the police probe, but said: “Obviously there are very serious points that have been made in this case and serious matters that as I understand it are being investigated by the police, and it wouldn’t be right for me to comment on a live police investigation.
“But it is absolutely vital that these issues are explored fully and comprehensively because they are of such significant concern.”
Asked if he should stand down, the First Minister added: “The issues around Cammy Day are very serious, the allegations are deeply concerning and it is obviously a live investigation by the police.
“So I won’t comment in detail about the issues involved, other than to say when matters of this type are raised regardless of who they are raised about, they have got to be examined and examined fully and comprehensively so that the concerns that have been expressed can be properly addressed.”
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