CASE FOR GLASGOW INQUIRY BUILDS

CASE FOR GLASGOW INQUIRY BUILDS

CROWN OFFICE IN TALKS WITH POLICE ABOUT INVESTIGATION - SUNDAY TIMES

LABOUR SILENCE SHOWS GLASGOW NEEDS CHAMPIONS

Following another damning morning of revelations over Labour’s operation
in Glasgow City Council and the actions and associates of former council
leader and Labour rising star Steven Purcell SNP MP for Glasgow East John
Mason said the case for an independent inquiry was becoming clearer by the
day.

Commenting on a range of revelations in the newspapers including reports
that Labour Cllr, Police Board Convener and possible successor Paul Rooney
knew the SCDEA had been to visit Mr Purcell and that another Purcell ally
Cllr Ryan was aware of Mr Purcell’s issues with alcohol, as well as
reports of drug use and possible associates in the Sunday Mail and news in
the Sunday Times that police are again considering if they will
investigate Mr Mason – Glasgow’s only non-Labour MP - said:

“Without a police investigation and an independent inquiry this daily drip
of allegations will simply continue and I welcome reports that the
Crown Office are in discussion with the police about launching such an
investigation.

“The case for an inquiry into Labour’s disastrous handling of Steven
Purcell’s problems grows stronger by the day.

“No one wants to see Glasgow’s name continually damaged by the Labour
party. The people of Glasgow deserve better.

“Labour’s conspiracy of silence shows that Glasgow needs strong local
champions who will speak up for the people of this city and be on their
side at all times.

“With claims in newspapers today that the former council leader was
targeted by drug dealers and the admission from Cllr Rooney, the Convenor
of the Police Board and a close associate of Purcell’s that he knew about
the SCDEA visit makes Labour’s position all the more indefensible.

“It has been claimed that Steven Purcell would welcome an inquiry so why
and what are Labour hiding.

“Given all the material in the public domain, I believe that there must
now be a police investigation and Labour need to accept independent
scrutiny and allow a light to be shone into the corridors of Glasgow City
Chambers and on the actions of the Labour group.”