Council must be clear on anti-blackmail actions

Following reports in the Times that some Labour members were aware of issues surrounding Steven Purcell in 2008 but dismissed the claims, and reports in the Scotsman that Glasgow City Council is refusing to consider a review of its practices and recent decisions, SNP MP John Mason and Council group leader James Dornan today repeated their call for answers from Labour and from the City Council.

Mr Mason has today written to the Chief Executive of the Council as well as Audit Scotland and the Accounts Commission to urge an open and transparent investigation into the practices of the council in recent years.

Despite Labour's denials, the Times newspaper reports that: "the possibility that Mr Purcell could be a drug-user was raised in a conference call of Labour politicians and advisers in the run-up to the Glasgow East by-election as they considered possible candidates." (Times, today).

In the Times, a senior Labour source states: "The possibility that Steven was using cocaine was raised but it was quickly dismissed by most people as the kind of rumour put around to discredit someone who appeared to have a lot of offer and who was running the council well."

The Scotsman report that the City Council has refused to review decisions made, despite requests from Trade Unions as well as Mr Mason and Cllr Dornan with the Daily Record quoting Labour sources claiming - extraordinarily - that Mr Purcell had no real influence in city chambers.

Mr Mason, a former opposition leader on Glasgow City Council, said: "I have every sympathy for Steven Purcell and wish him well in his recovery.  His personal situation is not the issue here, but the actions of those around him, particularly in the Labour Party, deserve scrutiny.

"Despite what Labour say, the Times newspaper reports that: 'the possibility that Mr Purcell could be a drug-user was raised in a conference call of Labour politicians and advisers in the run-up to the Glasgow East by-election as they considered possible candidates.' (Times, today).

"THE LABOUR PARTY MUST NOW PUBLISH FULL DETAILS OF THIS CONFERENCE CALL - WHEN DID IT TAKE PLACE, WHO WAS ON IT, AND WAS A NOTE OF THE CALL TAKEN?

"The issue people in Glasgow want answers to is what has been going on in City Chambers and in the Labour party not just in the last few weeks but over a period of years.  Labour's refusal to discuss these issues along with their silence when Mr Purcell resigned only raises more concerns.

"Reports in the press at the weekend raised questions over blackmail that must be answered.  If other councillors, people in the Labour Party or anyone in authority was aware of this risk but allowed it to continue then they will have seriously failed the council tax payers and voters of Glasgow - and indeed failed Mr Purcell.

"It is time for some openness and transparency at all levels in the council, Glasgow's quangos and the Labour Party itself.

SNP opposition leader on Glasgow City Council Cllr James Dornan said: "Coming hot on the heels of revelations of a culture of excess and expenses within SPT - a body essentially run by Labour - and rising concerns over Glasgow's quango culture there can be no better time to put the taxpayers interests first with a thorough review of decisions and practices by this long running Labour administration.

"Mr Purcell and the Labour Party control the largest council budget in Scotland. The council must be explicit in what it knew of the SCDEA's concerns and what steps it put in place to ensure no undue influence was or can be brought to bear on Mr Purcell or any other Councillor.

"Glasgow has many challenges to face, it must do so in the knowledge that its elected members of any party are entirely focussed on serving their constituents."