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Ex-council leader Purcell banned for drink driving

Spindrift A man with grey hair and a glum expression. He has a moustache and beard and is wearing a light blue shirt and navy jacket.Spindrift
Former Labour councillor Steven Purcell admitted driving while over the alcohol limit

A former Glasgow City Council leader has been banned from driving for a year after being caught more than three times over the alcohol limit.

Steven Purcell was pulled over on the M77 motorway, near the city's southside, on 10 October last year.

Purcell, 52, was once hailed as a rising star of the Scottish Labour Party and was heavily involved in bringing the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow.

The ex-councillor, who admitted the charge when he appeared before Glasgow Sheriff Court, was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £520.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard Purcell, of Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, was stopped on the M77.

Prosecutor Eilidh Macdonald said: "Police had reason to stop the vehicle and was indicated to do so using blue lights.

"A strong smell of alcohol as noted and Purcell was required to provide a specimen of breath."

Purcell blew a reading of 76 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The limit is 22 microgrammes.

Ron Mackenna, defending, told the court: "He is understandably embarrassed and apologises for the time wasted on this case.

"He is self-employed and runs a small company and there will be consequences due to being unable to drive."

Purcell was first elected in 1995 and went on to lead Glasgow City Council for five years.

He resigned as leader and councillor for the Drumchapel and Anniesland ward in 2010 citing "stress" and "exhaustion".

Purcell admitted he had problems with alcohol before he decided to step down and it was later revealed he had checked into a private clinic specialising in drug and alcohol dependency.

He also admitted to using cocaine during his time in local government.

After politics, Purcell went on to start a consultancy business which advised businesses on public relations and communications.

Last year he launched a podcast discussing housing in Scotland.

Sheriff Allan McKay said: "I give you credit for pleading guilty at the first opportunity and apply a discount to any penalties."