Edward, pictured left, who sat for a time, still drawing a salary as an Independent, until he was eventually jailed after pleading guilty to three charges involving 599 images and 93 videos. One image involved a baby.
The offences took place between March 6, 2016, and September 26, 2022, alleged Edward took or made himself indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children at an address in Crown Avenue, Clydebank.
On September 21, 2022 – while he was distributing indecent images – he contacted a local newspaper asking when his next column was due for the paper.
In June 2015, Edward was a founding member of Dalmuir and Mountblow Community Council and was elected as its first chairman, then later switching to vice-chairman.
He put himself forward to be selected for the SNP in the 2017 council elections but was rejected and then switched to Labour. In 2017, he was chairman of the Dalmuir Multi Storey Flats TRA.
Edward was elected as a Labour councillor in May 2022 after five years of ingratiating himself with multiple local organisations. He helped a number of Labour campaigns in that time.
After Labour retook West Dunbartonshire Council from the SNP, Edward was made convenor for housing and communities.
Now candidates for the by-election taking place next month for what was his Clydebank Central seat have been confirmed.
West Dunbartonshire residents in the Clydebank Central ward will be able to vote for their preferred candidate for election when the polls open on Thursday 13 June.
The deadline for nominations passed on 10 May, and seven candidates have now been confirmed.
They are:
Fiona Hennebry – Scottish Labour Party
Nathan Hennebry – Communist Party of Britain
Ewan McGinnigle – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
Andrew Joseph Muir – Independent
Kai Robert Murray Pyper – Scottish Liberal Democrats
Marina Scanlan – Scottish National Party (SNP)
Kelly Wilson – Sovereignty
Voting will get underway from 7am on 13 June, with the seven available polling places remaining open until the vote closes at 10pm.
The count will take place immediately after the polls close, with a declaration as soon as possible thereafter.
The by-election will use the Single Transferrable Vote (STV) system, which asks voters to mark their candidates in numerical order of preference.
Residents are being encouraged to ensure they are registered to take part in the vote, including adhering to deadlines for applying for a postal or proxy vote.
Returning Officer, Chief Executive Peter Hessett, said: “It is extremely important that West Dunbartonshire residents use their vote to have their say on who they want to represent them.
“The successful candidate elected as a Councillor will make decisions on behalf of residents about local services including roads, parks, schools and planning.
“But only residents in the Clydebank Central ward who are registered ahead of the deadline will have the opportunity to cast their vote. People least likely to be registered include first time voters or those who have recently moved house.
“I’d encourage anyone who is unsure whether they are on the electoral register to contact the electoral registration office on 0141 562 1200 and, if necessary, complete the forms online which will take just a few minutes.
“In addition, any resident requiring a postal or proxy vote should apply now before the deadline.”
Residents have until 12 midnight on Tuesday 28 May to register to vote here: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
Applications to register to vote can also be sent to the Electoral Registration Officer, Electoral Registration Office, 235 Dumbarton Road, Clydebank, G81 4XJ by the same date.
Applications, amendments or cancellations of postal votes must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at the address above by 5pm on Wednesday 29 May 2024.
Applications to vote by proxy at this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at the address above by 5pm on Wednesday 5 June 2024.
Applications to amend or cancel existing proxy arrangements must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at the address above by 5pm on Wednesday 29 May 2024.