Council staff who accused ex-leader of harassment 'feared retribution' over claims
Co mplainers feared retribution if they spoke out against an under-fire former Edinburgh City Council leader, a report has revealed.
Cammy Day was forced to resign after the Sunday Mail revealed allegations he 'bombarded' Ukrainian refugees with sexually explicit questions.
He has been readmitted to Labour's team of councillors after police cleared him of criminality.
An investigation instructed by the local authority has now shown several people came forward with claims of inappropriate conduct – but were scared to pursue formal complaints.
Kevin Dunion, a former convener of the Standards Commission for Scotland who conducted the probe, said the council had no proper process to deal with claims against Day and reports of 'alleged unwanted advances' towards junior staff were 'treated as gossip'.
Describing a worker being told of an allegation about Day and an inappropriate picture, Dunion said: 'They were shocked by the apparent unconcerned attitude and lack of action for protecting the member of staff allegedly targeted.'
Asked if the alleged incident was reported to a manager, Dunion said: 'No it was not.'
He told of two other instances involving Day which were 'reported up the management chain, such as alleged unwanted advances being made to junior staff but being treated as gossip or concerns about a social relationship with a young member of staff being formed…'
Asked if the claims had an 'abuse of power' element, Dunion said: 'The report does indicate a power imbalance as grounds for reluctance to pursue complaints or be identified for fear of retribution. There are several allegations of a similar or related nature.'
Day has been readmitted into the council's Labour group after a suspension.
Council leader Jane Meagher said: 'I really look forward to working with him again.'
She made the comments during a heated debate last week in the council chambers. Labour councillor Katrina Faccenda, who currently has a complaint against Day, said: 'I do not welcome Councillor Day back into the group.'
She claimed she had been 'subject to a drunken tirade' by Day which left her 'in tears'.
Scottish Labour allowed Day to return after we revealed it received a complaint of repeated unwanted sexual messages by a constituent in 2022. We also told of claims he had sent Ukrainian refugees sexual messages. An ex-council worker claimed they were repeatedly contacted by Day and invited to have wine in his caravan.
The report details an anonymous complaint by someone in 2018 who claimed they were 'groomed' online aged 15 by an unnamed councillor. Dunion said emails about it were missing from all council computers.
Day has admitted using dating app Grindr but said all allegations against him amount to a 'political smear campaign'.
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