Frank McAveety, the former leader of Glasgow City Council and one-time Scottish Labour MSP, has been arrested and charged in connection with fraud offences allegedly committed between 2022 and 2024.
The 62-year-old, a prominent figure in Scottish politics for over two decades, is accused of electoral fraud related to a failed attempt to return to the city chambers during the 2022 local elections.
A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday evening: “A 62-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with fraud offences in the Glasgow area between 2022 and 2024. A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course.”
Although the force has not formally named Mr McAveety, Sky News reported that the former council leader is the individual at the centre of the investigation. The charges reportedly pertain to irregularities in campaign activity during his attempt to regain a council seat in 2022.
Mr McAveety previously held the role of leader of Glasgow City Council from 1997 to 1999, and again from 2015 until 2017, when he stepped down following the SNP’s historic win in the city. He also served as the MSP for Glasgow Shettleston between 1999 and 2011 and held several ministerial posts during Labour’s time in power at Holyrood.
Known for his outspoken style and deep involvement in city politics, Mr McAveety was a key figure in urban regeneration projects and had built a reputation as a tireless campaigner for Glasgow’s working-class communities.
The specific details of the alleged offences have not yet been made public, and Police Scotland has not elaborated on the nature of the charges. However, several media outlets have suggested that the allegations relate to false declarations or improper handling of electoral paperwork during the 2022 council elections.
Scottish Labour has yet to issue a formal statement but is understood to be seeking further information. A party spokesperson said they were aware of the reports and would not be commenting further at this stage.
Glasgow City Council, where Mr McAveety spent much of his political life, declined to comment, citing the ongoing legal process.
The news has sent ripples through Scottish political circles, with many expressing shock at the developments. While Mr McAveety had largely stepped back from frontline politics in recent years, his arrest is likely to reignite debate about transparency, accountability, and integrity within local government.
Political commentator Eilidh Grant told BBC Radio Scotland: “Frank McAveety has been a household name in Glasgow politics for years. If these charges are proven, it will mark a dramatic fall from grace for someone who was once seen as a rising star of Scottish Labour.”
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She added: “It also puts pressure on the party to demonstrate it is serious about upholding ethical standards, especially in light of previous controversies surrounding political conduct.”
Mr McAveety has not made any public comment on the arrest, and it remains unclear whether he intends to contest the charges. Legal experts note that if found guilty, he could face serious penalties, including disqualification from holding public office in future.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service confirmed it had received a report from Police Scotland and that the matter is under consideration.
The case is expected to move forward in the coming weeks, with a court date likely to be scheduled once the Procurator Fiscal has reviewed the evidence.
For now, questions remain over the impact the case could have on public trust in local governance and the potential implications for Scottish Labour as it seeks to rebuild its presence across Glasgow.
