Councillor unhappy at support after blaze
Graeme Campbell says he feels like council bosses were trying to blame him for his house being firebombed.
We told earlier this year how the councillor had been left fearing for his life after his wife’s car was torched in his driveway.
The attack was widely condemned political and public figures, as well members of the community.
But Cllr Campbell said he was “left bemused and disappointed” at the way he was “treated by the chief executive’s office”.
He said: “Instead of support, I had a call from a senior council representative reminding me not speak out against the council and if I did there could be negative consequences for me.
“The complete lack of any human emotion and twisting of events felt like they were trying to direct some of the blame towards me. by as
“It left me wondering if South Lanarkshire is somewhere I want to live, never mind a council I want to be part of.”
Fiona Campbell’s BMW X2 was targeted in May, when soaring flames destroyed part of the family home.
Cllr Campbell said he and his family were left “shaken” by the incident, which he believes was related to a “political project” he was working on.
The incident saw the Conservative representative take a three-month break away from frontline politics.
Now back working for his Avondale and Stonehouse constituents, Cllr Campbell thanked those who had sent the family “incredible emails, letters, IMS and telephone calls of support”.
“That included from rival SNP, Labour, Liberal Democrat and independent councillors.
He continued: “I’ve had calls from MSPS, MPS and senior members of the Westminster Government who were all horrified to hear an elected member and their family were attacked, just for doing their job.”
A spokesman for SLC disputed the claims, noting they had only been in touch to offer support to Councillor Campbell.
He told us: “Various senior council officers were in contact with him after the appalling attack on his home.
“The only purpose of these calls was to check on the welfare of Cllr Campbell and his family, and to offer a range of supports to him.
“The council also worked with Police Scotland to ensure he and his family were fully supported.
“There is no question of any call being made to Cllr Campbell to ‘remind’ him not to criticise the council.
“Cllr Campbell has not indicated to anyone at the council that he disagrees with the assessment by the accounts commission.”