Councillor Craig Edward was arrested on Monday following a police raid on his home.
By Bill Heaney
A LABOUR councillor in West Dunbartonshire has been charged with having indecent images of children.
Craig Edward, 33, who won his seat at the local government elections in May was arrested after an 8am police raid at his home.
He appeared on Tuesday at Dumbarton Sheriff Court, where he made no plea or declaration and was released on bail.
A source said of the politician, who lives in Dalmuir: “Officers arrived at his house early on Monday morning. It’s understood that the case could not be handled at the local police station.”
Edward was charged with two counts of possessing indecent photos of children and was committed for further examination.
West Dunbartonshire Council and Labour group leader Martin Rooney refused to speak to The Democrat and appear to be upholding the SNP ban on council communications officers answering questions from The Democrat said they were unable to comment on live court proceedings.
Scottish Labour said they could not comment on the case, but revealed Edward is no longer a member of the party pending the result of the investigation.
We can reveal that Labour have withdrawn the party whip from Edward and that he will no longer hold the convenerships and other posts he was appointed to with their support after the election.
Contest Name Ward 5 – Clydebank Central
The electorate was 11,820 and the number of ballot papers received was 4,848 giving a percentage turnout of 41.0%. There were 204 rejected ballot papers. The quota of votes for a candidate to be elected was 929.
The number of first preference votes for each of the candidates was:
Candidate Name Affiliation Number of First Preference Votes
Diane DOCHERTY Scottish National Party (SNP) 1,903
Craig EDWARD Scottish Labour Party 1,199
Clare STEEL Scottish Labour Party 645
Sophie TRAYNOR Scottish National Party (SNP) 531
Liam WILSON Scottish Conservative and Unionist 366
Total 4,644
After application of the Election Rules, the following are elected as Councillors for the Ward 5 – Clydebank Central:
Diane DOCHERTY Scottish National Party (SNP) 1
Craig EDWARD Scottish Labour Party 1
Clare STEEL Scottish Labour Party 4
Sophie TRAYNOR Scottish National Party (SNP) 2
Picture caption: Labour councillor Craig Edward on the campaign trail at Loch Lomond with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and fellow Labour candidate Clare Steel.