Steven Purcell

Steven Purcell is a former Scottish Labour Party politician who was councillor for the Drumchapel/Anniesland ward 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, Purcell has lived all of his life in the city's Yoker area. 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 a 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]

Resignation

On 2 March 2010, it was announced that Purcell was resigning as Leader of Glasgow City Council due to stress.^[7] 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.^[8]

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.^[9] 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 Purcell's resignation was due to a "chemical dependency", but were stopped from doing so by lawyers representing Purcell who later put out the press release citing "stress and exhaustion" as his reasons for resigning.^[10]

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'".^[11]

On 5 March 2010, he stood down as councillor.^[12]

References

1. Councillor Steven Purcell Biography, Glasgow City Council website. Accessed 13 October 2022.
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. 9 December 2006. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
5. "Glasgow eyes 2014 Commonwealths". BBC News. 15 December 2005. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
6. "Glasgow wins race for 2014 Games". BBC News. 9 November 2007. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
7. "Glasgow council leader Steven Purcell stands down". BBC News. 2 March 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
8. Johnson, Simon (3 March 2010). . The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 8 March 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
9. "Drug problem denied by ex-Council Leader's Doctor". STV. 4 March 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
10. "Council was set to reveal Steven Purcell's drug problem". The Scotsman. 4 March 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
11. "Steven Purcell forced to quit politics". The Scotsman. 6 March 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
12. "Purcell quits as city councillor". BBC News. 5 March 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2010.

Preceded by Charlie Gordon

Leader of Glasgow City Council 2005–2010

Succeeded by Gordon Matheson