Steven Purcell

Steven Purcell is a former Scottish Labour Party politician and was councillor for the Drumchapel and Anniesland ward in Glasgow and a former leader of Glasgow City Council. He was Leader of the Council from 24 May 2005^[1] until 2 March 2010 when he announced he would be standing down from this position due to stress. He resigned his post as councillor on 5 March 2010.

In late September 2011, Strathclyde Police's major crime unit had completed a probe into Purcell over allegations of corruption and links with gangsters during his time as Leader of Glasgow City Council and have submitted reports to the Procurator-Fiscal.^[2] In January 2012 the Crown Office stated that there was insufficient evidence of criminality and no further action was currently appropriate.^[3]

Personal life

Born in 1972, in Glasgow, he has lived all of his life in the Yoker area of Glasgow. He is a keen football fan and enjoys reading, music, history and debates among many interests. In 2006 he announced that he was gay and was separating from his wife.^[4]

Political life

He joined the Labour Party in 1986, and was first elected to Glasgow City Council in May 1995 for the ward of Blairdardie.

During his time at the council he had been the Council's Convener of Development & Regeneration Services and Convener of Education and later Leader of the Council.

Commonwealth Games

Purcell played an instrumental part in bringing the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow,^[5] and was part of the Bid Team that mustered support for the games. On 9 November in Sri Lanka it was announced that Glasgow had won the games,^[6] following the result Purcell said;

The 2014 Commonwealth Games will create a lasting legacy for Glasgow, both economically and socially. The games will change the city, and change people's lives.^[7]

Resignation

On 2 March 2010, it was announced Mr. Purcell was resigning as Leader of Glasgow City Council due to stress.^[8] It was revealed on 3 March 2010 that Purcell had been admitted to Castle Craig Hospital, a "drug and alcohol addictions hospital" in the Scottish Borders on Saturday 27 February 2010.^[9] It was later announced that he went missing from the hospital on Sunday 28 February, with Lothian and Borders Police being called to find him, before returning on his own later that day.^[10] He left the hospital on 2 March 2010.

On 4 March 2010, The Scotsman newspaper alleged that Glasgow City Council's press relations staff were preparing a press-release that stated Mr. Purcell's resignation was due to a "chemical dependency", but were stopped from doing so by lawyers representing Mr. Purcell who later put out the press release citing "stress and exhaustion" as his reasons for resigning.^[11] A further press release by his lawyers was put out denying this, stating that according to Mr. Purcell's psychiatrist, Dr. Florian Kaplick, "it needs to be noted that he was not treated for 'a drug problem'.".^[12] On 5 March 2010, he stood down as councillor.^[13]

References

1. Councillor Steven Purcell Biography at Glasgow City Council
2. Musson, Chris (23 September 2011). "Cocaine shame ex-council boss Steven Purcell is 'Happy as Larry' as corruption police complete probe into his dealings". Daily Record. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
3. "No charges against ex-council chief Steven Purcell". BBC News Scotland online. 20 January 2012. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
4. "Council leader announces he's gay". BBC News. 2006-12-09. Retrieved 2010-05-24.
5. "Glasgow eyes 2014 Commonwealths". BBC News. 2005-12-15. Retrieved 2010-05-24.
6. "Glasgow wins race for 2014 Games". BBC News. 2007-11-09. Retrieved 2010-05-24.
7. "Work 'starts now' for 2014 Games". BBC News. 2007-11-10. Retrieved 2010-05-24.
8. "Glasgow council leader Steven Purcell stands down". BBC News. 2010-03-02. Retrieved 2010-03-02.
9. Johnson, Simon (2010-03-03). "Steven Purcell leaves rehab clinic". London: The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2010-03-06.
10. "Drug problem denied by ex-Council Leader's Doctor". STV. 2010-03-04. Retrieved 2010-03-06.
11. "Council was set to reveal Steven Purcell's drug problem". The Scotsman. 2010-03-04. Retrieved 2010-03-06.
12. "Steven Purcell forced to quit politics". The Scotsman. 2010-03-06. Retrieved 2010-03-06.
13. "Purcell quits as city councillor". BBC News. 2010-03-05. Retrieved 2010-03-05.