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<\/a><\/p>\nLessons \u2018must be learned\u2019 after the publication of a report spelling out the council\u2019s handling of sexual harassment allegations against former leader Cammy Day, according to city councillors.<\/p>\n
The report found that Edinburgh council needed to improve its safeguarding measures, and that a \u2018prevalent\u2019 culture of hospitality needed to be looked at by the council.<\/p>\n
But it found that council officers had acted appropriately in handling complaints made to them.<\/p>\n
It also said that people who had complained about the behaviour of the former council leader experienced a \u201csignificant perceived power imbalance\u201d when making complaints about him.<\/p>\n
Council leader Jane Meagher said the report was \u2018largely reassuring\u2019 \u2013 but that recommendations made in the report needed to be carried out \u2018swiftly and comprehensively\u2019.<\/p>\n
Kevin Dunion, former chair of the Standards Commission for Scotland, carried out the third party investigation that resulted in the report, which itself was commissioned by the council.<\/p>\n
Mr Dunion\u2019s investigation came after recent and historic complaints about alleged sexual harassment by former Labour council leader Cammy Day came to light.<\/p>\n
Councillor Day resigned in December 2024 soon after the first allegations were published in the press, and he was suspended from the Labour Party soon after.<\/p>\n
Multiple Ukrainian refugees said Cllr Day had sent them unsolicited images and messages on social media, even after being asked to stop.<\/p>\n
In one historic incident, which took place in 2010 and was reported in 2018, a then 15-year-old boy said he was sexually harassed online by Cllr Day.<\/p>\n
Since his resignation, a police investigation into his behaviour has found no evidence of criminality, with the former leader claiming he is the target of a political witch hunt.<\/p>\n
SNP group leader, Councillor Simita Kumar, said: \u201cIt is imperative that lessons must be learned.<\/p>\n
\u201cA common thread throughout this report is that staff and complainants felt unable \u2013 or unwilling \u2013 to raise concerns due to the power and influence of the accused.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must establish better systems to support and protect those who come forward or the risk of abuse by those in positions of authority will persist.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Dunion\u2019s report found that leaks of information about alleged leaks by councillors had impeded the city\u2019s whistleblowing process.<\/p>\n
Councillor Ed Thornley, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: \u201cI want to thank Kevin Dunion for his report and the work that\u2019s gone into it. He\u2019s highlighted several issues with the way the Council\u2019s processes aren\u2019t working correctly and the gaps in them.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s clear reading the report that where Council officers have been aware and informed, they acted appropriately and gave sound advice in line with the agreed processes. That is not the case for councillors.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe two leaks of confidential information by councillors seriously undermine the integrity of the systems in place, and call into question the judgement of the individuals responsible.<\/p>\n
\u201cSuch leaks represent a deliberate and blatant breach of the Councillors\u2019 Code of Conduct. The Lib Dem group will consider Mr Dunion\u2019s recommendations thoroughly over the coming days.\u201d<\/p>\n
Edinburgh Council\u2019s leader, Labour councillor Jane Meagher said: \u201cI want to thank Mr Dunion for leading this review, and for his report.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile I\u2019m largely reassured by Mr Dunion\u2019s findings about how recent complaints have been handled by officers, clearly, there are elements of this report which are of serious concern to us as elected members and we must act on his recommendations swiftly and comprehensively. I have already taken practical steps to begin to change the culture in the City Chambers.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur priority must be to nurture positive working relationships throughout the Council where colleagues feel able to speak up if something isn\u2019t right, they know and trust the channels open to them and they feel safe and supported in doing so.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fully committed to taking Mr Dunion\u2019s recommendations forward and, subject to approval by councillors next Thursday, look forward to agreeing concrete actions when officers bring a further report back in August outlining our proposed actions in response to Mr Dunion\u2019s recommendations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Independent councillor Ross McKenzie, who was part of the Labour group until 2023, said: \u201cIt\u2019s now up to the Labour Party to decide whether they are comfortable with Cammy Day being a Labour councillor.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe report contains details of an extraordinarily serious allegation made in 2018 and a pattern of sexual harassment allegations since.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf Labour are serious about safeguarding then they will have conducted an exhaustive investigation into all of these allegations.\u201d<\/p>\n
By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter<\/p>\n
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