Firebomb attack on councillor’s home ‘politically motivated’

A councillor has said he believes a terrifying firebomb attack on his family home and cars was politically motivated.

Graeme Campbell, 49, who represents Avon dale and Stone house in St rat haven, Lanarkshire, said his wife Fiona and 18-year- old son were asleep when their £45,000 BMW car went up in flames at 1.15am on Monday.

The family were woken when a passer-by knocked on their door to tell them their car was on fire after an explosion.

The blaze later spread to the house, destroying parts of their detached property as well as damaging a neighbour’s home.

The politician, who was elected to the council in 2007 and then again in 2017, told how attackers had smashed a window in his wife’s car before dousing it in flammable liquid.

He said: “When I realised it was about 1.10am and heard some sort of bang and I can only assume it was the car on fire and something was exploding in the car.

“I then got up and said to Fiona that I thought there was somebody down stairs and then we heard banging on the front door.

“It was a young lad who was coming past on the road and saw the car on fire and they were coming to warn us that the car was on fire and it was getting near to the house.

“We don’ t know who that guy was and we are desperately trying to find out who he is to thank him because if it had been another ten or 15 minutes then we would have been dead.”

Mr Campbell believes he was targeted because of his work as a politician.

He said: “The police said it was deliberate and I wasn’t really surprised. There was always a fear it could happen but I didn’t think anyone would attack a locally elected official.”

Lab our MSP Monica Lennon sent a message of sup - port to the Campbells on social media.

She said: “This is a terrifying attack on Councillor Graeme Campbell’s home and family which could have been fatal.

“I hope Police Scotland find those responsible. If this crime is related to Cllr Campbell’s public duties this is an attack on democracy itself.”

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said :“At around 1.25 am on Monday, police were called to a report of a car on fire outside a property in Fortrose Gardens, Strathaven.

“Emergency services attended and fire had caused extensive damage to the car, as well as another vehicle in the driveway and the garage.

“The incident is being treated as wilful and inquiries are ongoing.”