A HELENSBURGH and Lomond councillor has faced calls to resign after press reports on his personal life.
Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess (SNP, Helensburgh and Lomond South) has stood down as a Scottish Parliament candidate for the 2026 elections after newspaper reports of alleged links with a ‘swingers’ website.
Councillor Alastair Redman (Independent, Kintyre and the Islands) has since written to senior councillors calling for Councillor Campbell-Sturgess to leave office as policy lead, administration member and councillor.
But one of the authority’s depute leaders, Councillor Ross Moreland (Liberal Democrat, Dunoon) said that Councillor Campbell-Sturgess had not broken any rules requiring action.
Councillor Campbell-Sturgess has been quoted as saying that he rejects any accusations of wrongdoing, but will not stand for the Scottish Parliament next year.
He had been due to contest the Dumbarton constituency against incumbent MSP Jackie Baillie (Labour) and fellow Councillor Gary Mulvaney (Conservative, Helensburgh Central).
He submitted apologies for a full council meeting on Wednesday, September 24, having compiled a report in advance as policy lead for business development.
In a statement, Councillor Redman said: “While [Councillor Campbell-Sturgess] has stepped down as a Holyrood candidate, he continues to hold a senior policy lead role within Argyll and Bute Council. This is simply not acceptable.
“Public office demands the highest standards of conduct. I have therefore called for his resignation as policy lead, his withdrawal from the administration, and his resignation as a councillor.
“If those in leadership positions believe otherwise, they must explain to the people of Argyll and Bute why they consider it acceptable for someone mired in scandal to remain in senior office.”
Councillor Moreland said: “The story reported in the national press relates to Councillor Campbell-Sturgess’s personal life and his role as a candidate in a national election for the SNP.
“So it would be down to the SNP to handle it on a national level, although my understanding is that Math had withdrawn as a candidate.
“On a council level, Councillor Campbell-Sturgess has to my mind not broken any rules or regulations that would require action to be taken against him. Of course if councillors feel he has they can take action through the usual channels.”
Councillor Campbell-Sturgess has been contacted for comment. He was quoted over the weekend as saying: “Everyone is entitled to a private life. I have done nothing wrong and reject any suggestion otherwise.
“However, this experience has placed huge stress on myself and my family, and I have therefore chosen to step back from candidacy at this time.”
An SNP spokesperson was also quoted as saying: “We have been informed of his decision to step down as a candidate.”
An Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson said: “The council is aware of recent press articles relating to the personal life of one of its elected members.
“If these matters give rise to any issues which fall within the scope of the Councillors Code of Conduct, these would ultimately be determined to by the Standards Commission for Scotland.”
