Official decisions taken by the former leader of Glasgow City Council Steven Purcell must be investigated in the light of allegations surrounding Purcell’s resignation, according to SNP Councillor Billy McAllister.

McAllister, a long time campaigner against serious and organised crime in Glasgow, has written to Glasgow City Council chief executive George Black with a series of questions he says need to be answered in the wake of Purcell’s dramatic resignation and subsequent disappearance from public life. The letter is carried in the current edition of Holyrood magazine.

In particular, McAllister wants an investigation into why the Labour group on the council, led by Purcell, repeatedly blocked attempts to investigate the extent and reach of organised crime in Glasgow.

McAllister identifies allegations that an attempt by Glasgow’s director of culture and leisure, Bridget McConnell, to close down a community centre in the Chirnside area linked with suspected organised criminals, was blocked by a senior councillor as being in need of particularly urgent investigation.

In his letter to Black, copied to the Audit Commission, McAllister says:

“Given both recent revelations and developments circulating in the local and national media, note that I wish to call upon your office to instigate a full investigation and/or a public inquiry regarding recent decisions reached under the auspices of former council leader Steven Purcell.

“As you can understand, I am concerned that council decisions were made whilst Mr Purcell was allegedly under the influence of chemical substances.”

Former director-general of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA), Graeme Pearson, said that reports that members of Glasgow City Council had known of Purcell’s alleged cocaine use but failed to report it were concerning.

Two SCDEA officers are reported to have visited Purcell last year after reports a known drug dealer claimed to have incriminating footage of the then council leader on his phone.

Pearson says:

“I have read a fair bit about this in the paper over the period and there sees to have been a knowledge among some people that there was a habit there and that surprises me, to be quite blunt. Anybody in public life who is committing a crime by accessing drugs should not be tolerated, full stop.

“In tolerating it, it takes you into the soft ground where you become a possible target for criminality in the future. There is no way that criminals supply drugs to an individual in public life for its own sake. There is always a strategy involved there, an end result they are looking for.”

In a debate on serious and organised crime in the Scottish Parliament last week, repeated calls were made for stronger action to be taken to prevent organised criminals accessing public sector contracts.

However, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said that given many procurement procedures were governed by European rules, Trade Secretary Lord Mandelson would need to assist in any changing of Scottish rules.

Labour MSP Cathie Craigie told the chamber she was confident her party would work with the Scottish Government in any attempt to lobby Lord Mandelson on the issue.

The letter in full: 

  Dear Mr Black,

Given both recent revelations and developments circulating in the local and national media, note that I wish to call upon on your office to instigate a full investigation and/or a public inquiry regarding recent decisions reached under the auspices of former council leader Steven Purcell.

I would specifically wish your office to investigate:

1)      Why David Lyons and associates were allowed to hold and benefit from a legal occupation and credit upon the site of the GCC land at Balmore Road?

2)      Did the perimeter fence which the above party installed on the site comply with necessary and required GCC planning permissions?

3)      Regarding Chirnside Community Initiative, as reported in the media at the time, the director of culture and leisure was quoted as stating that she had attempted to close the centre due to concerns raised but that a senior councillor overruled her attempt. Who was that councillor?

4)      As you are aware, for nearly a year I have continuously attempted to add a motion to the full council agenda focused upon tackling serious and organised crime. Mr Purcell obstructed all attempts. Why was this?

5)      A recent crime summit was held in the chamber. Mr Purcell was invited but did not attend or acknowledge. Why was this?

6)      Can you confirm if Mr Purcell was approached, contacted or interviewed by the police at any point in connection with these allegations and if so, by whom was the information know.

As you can understand, I am concerned that council decisions were made whilst Mr Purcell was allegedly under the influence of chemical substances.

I look forward to your responses.

Councillor Billy McAllister

CC: Audit Commission Scotland

  You can now follow Holyrood magazine on Twitter: www.twitter.com/HolyroodDaily