A criminal investigation has been launched over “allegations of drug-taking” and “other matters” concerning the former leader of Scotland’s largest local authority, police said yesterday.
Steven Purcell stood down as leader of Glasgow City Council and quit as a councillor last month.
At the time, he said “stress and exhaustion” were behind his decision to tender his resignation as council leader and councillor for the city’s Blairdardie ward.
It later emerged he was treated at a private hospital specialising in drug and alcohol dependency.
Last month, Mr Purcell, 37, who had been a rising star in the Labour Party, told a newspaper he had taken cocaine a “handful” of times since he was first offered it at a party.
A Strathclyde Police spokeswoman said yesterday: “Strathclyde Police can confirm that, following assessment of information surrounding allegations of drug-taking and other matters concerning Steven Purcell, a criminal investigation is now under way.
“As a result it would be inappropriate to make any further comment about the investigation as this would be detrimental to any process.”
A Crown Office spokesman said: “The area procurator fiscal in Glasgow has been kept fully informed by Strathclyde Police of their assessment of information and confirms that there is now an ongoing criminal investigation, the outcome of which will be reported to her in due course.
“It would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this stage.”
A spokesman for Glasgow-based solicitors Levy and McRae, who represent Mr Purcell, said: “We have not been approached by either Strathclyde Police or the Crown Office.”
Mr Purcell was elected council leader in 2005 when he was 32.
He was first elected to the council in 1995.
He was named Councillor of the Year at last year’s Scottish Politician of the Year awards for his role in delivering the Commonwealth Games to the city and a guaranteed “living wage” to thousands of Glasgow workers.