Former council boss accused of 'inappropriate messages' on dating app is cleared by police

14 April 2025, 08:15 | Updated: 14 April 2025, 10:19

Police have found "no evidence of criminality" following an investigation into alleged inappropriate messages sent by the former leader of the City of Edinburgh Council.

Cammy Day stepped down as leader in December and was suspended by Scottish Labour pending the outcome of a probe.

His resignation followed a story in the Sunday Mail in which he was accused of sending messages to Ukrainian refugees via a dating app, including asking sexual questions.

Now four months on, Mr Day said he was not interviewed by police and described the situation as a "coordinated political attack".

The councillor said he has sought legal action as he attributed the allegations to SNP figures.

Police Scotland confirmed "no criminality has been established and no one has been arrested".

A force spokesperson added: "Time is no barrier to our inquiries and any further information received will be assessed."

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Mr Day said he has "used apps for a gay man like me" but denied doing "anything offensive".

He told the newspaper: "I've chatted with gay men on an app. The content of that chat I don't think is relevant. I've had a chat with another gay man, we've exchanged pictures together, we've had chats. We've maybe met and had a drink, or maybe not. That's what people do."

Mr Day said it had been the "most difficult experience" of his professional life.

He added: "I'm grateful it's over. I was not contacted or interviewed by the police but many of my friends, family, and colleagues were questioned for hours about claims that were never put directly to me. I'm deeply upset that they had to go through that.

"I'm also hugely frustrated - as I know others will be too - that thousands of hours of police and council officers' time have been wasted investigating what would seem to be nothing more than a coordinated political attack designed to undermine the leadership of this city."

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SNP, Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors had urged Mr Day to step down as leader over the allegations.

Simita Kumar, the City of Edinburgh Council's SNP group leader, told the Sunday Times that Mr Day's claims were a "gross distortion" and offensive to complainants.

She said: "His sexuality is not and has never been the issue.

"What is at issue is the serious allegations that he used his position of public trust to target and intimidate vulnerable people.

"Day should feel ashamed for trying to spin this as a political conspiracy."

(c) Sky News 2025: Former council boss accused of 'inappropriate messages' on dating app is cleared by police