Gay council leader splits from wife

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

The leader of Glasgow City Council, Steven Purcell, has announced hat he has split with his wife and he is gay.

It comes after increased speculation regarding his private life.

One of Mr Purcell’s close friend’s, Jim Tait, told the Daily Record: “The reason he is speaking about this now is to put an end to the rumours which were circulating.

“Obviously, it has been a distraction and he just wants to put the facts on the record. Otherwise, it’s a private matter.”

His wife, Katrina, told The Scotsman that she will continue to support him as a friend.

Mr Purcell says he will carry on as head of the administration and insisted he has ambitious plans for Scotland’s biggest city, such as boosting Glasgow’s economy and spreading wealth to the city’s most deprived areas, the Scotsman reports.

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