Steven Purcell is to quit politics

Monday, March 08, 2010

Rising political star Steven Purcell has quit politics amid reports of an alleged drugs habit.

The 37-year-old Labour councillor stepped down as leader of Glasgow City Council on 2 March, after nearly five years leading the local authority, citing exhaustion.

But following allegations of drug abuse and involvement with a criminal gang from whom he was supposed to have bought drugs, Purcell resigned as a councillor on Friday (5 March).

Now opposition politicians and union leaders have called for a review of all decisions taken his leadership, but the City Council has refused, insisting that Purcell did not make decisions on his own.

Following his resignation as council leader, it was reported that he had checked into a private drink and drugs rehab clinic where his psychiatrist released a statement saying he had not treated Purcell for "a drug problem".

A spokesman for the former council leader said Purcell was "resting and recuperating in the sun".