Council closes ranks on Steven Purcell cocaine claims

 

Pressure is mounting on the ruling Labour group at Glasgow City Council to “set the record straight” over the events leading up to the resignation of Steven Purcell.

As speculation continued over the precise details behind the departure of Mr Purcell from public life, Labour’s political opponents insisted that Jim Coleman, the acting leader of the council, should make a full statement.

Last night, however, it appeared their appeals for full disclosure would not be met. Sources within the council insisted: “We have told people everything. Everything is out there. The idea that we are sitting on things has no basis in fact.”

David Meikle, a Conservative councillor who represents the Pollokshields ward on the authority, said he was stunned by the claims surrounding the former leader’s decision to stand down, first as the council leader and then as a councillor.

He called on Councillor Coleman and George Black, the council’s chief executive, to make a statement at a specially convened meeting of the council.

“Elected members and the citizens of Glasgow have the right to know the truth”, said Councillor Meikle.

Yesterday The Times reported that senior Labour figures were made aware almost two years ago that Mr Purcell, who is now abroad, was a cocaine-user, but they dismissed the claims as “malicious”.

It emerged at the weekend that Mr Purcell had confessed to friends that he “dabbled” in cocaine and had been warned by police that he could be in danger of being blackmailed by dealers linked to a Glasgow drugs baron.

Mr Purcell resigned as a councillor last Friday, bringing to an end his high-flying career. He stood down as council leader on Tuesday last week.

It has also emerged that officers from the Scottish Crime and Drugs Enforcement Agency visited him last May to warn him that he could be open to blackmail.

Mr Purcell later confessed to aides that he had taken the Class A drug. He assured them the behaviour was in the past. John Mason, the SNP MP for Glasgow East, said in a BBC radio interview yesterday that Mr Purcell was experiencing a “personal tragedy” but he added that there were wider ramifications.

He said: “If it went back to 2008 that people knew there was a problem, then how come he’s been running the council for the last two years? That’s the kind of question we need answers to.

“Who knew about this within the council, within the Labour Party? It does seem again that it’s just an example of Labour taking the people of Glasgow for granted.”

Mr Mason added that the events raised questions about decision-making within the council.

Scottish Labour have accused Mr Mason, who is defending a slimline 600 majority at the election, of “peddling smears and fears in a desperate attempt for own political survival”.

A spokesman said: “The Scottish Labour Party has never investigated Mr Purcell regarding any matter and never interviewed him about any allegations.”

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