Police say they have found “no evidence of criminality” in an investigation into alleged inappropriate messages sent by Edinburgh city council’s former leader.

Cammy Day stepped down in December and was suspended by the Labour party pending the outcome of the police probe.

Day said he was never interviewed by officers and described the situation as a “co-ordinated political attack”.

It was reported by the Sunday Mail that Day had “bombarded” Ukrainian refugees with messages, including asking sexually explicit questions.

The city councillor attributed the accusations to SNP figures and said he had sought legal action.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Day confirmed he had exchanged messages and photos on a dating app but denied doing “anything offensive”.

He said: “I’ve chatted with gay men on an app. The content of that chat I don’t think is relevant.

“We’ve maybe met and had a drink, or maybe not. That’s what people do.”

Day said it had been the most difficult experience of his professional life.

He added: “I was not contacted or interviewed by the police but many of my friends, family, and colleagues were questioned for hours about claims that were never put directly to me.

“I’m also hugely frustrated that thousands of hours of police and council officers’ time have been wasted investigating what would seem to be nothing more than a co-ordinated political attack.”

SNP, Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors had urged Day to step down as leader over the allegations.

One of the refugees contacted by him previously told BBC Scotland News that he sent them messages on social media and added them on a dating app.

The Ukrainian, who came to Scotland following Russia’s invasion in 2022, claimed Day asked them sexually explicit questions and suggested meeting for wine.

The refugee said they were uncomfortable with the contact but felt pressure to respond given his status.

Simita Kumar, the City of Edinburgh Council’s SNP group leader, told the Sunday Times that Day’s claims were a “gross distortion” and offensive to complainants.

She said: “His sexuality is not and has never been the issue.

“What is at issue is the serious allegations that he used his position of public trust to target and intimidate vulnerable people.

“Day should feel ashamed for trying to spin this as a political conspiracy.”

A former community development worker, Day became an Edinburgh councillor in 2008 then leader of the Labour administration in 2022.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Following a report relating to inappropriate behaviour, extensive inquiries have been carried out, no criminality has been established and no-one has been arrested.

“Time is no barrier to our inquiries and any further information received will be assessed.”

The force said a previous report had been made about Day last year, but no criminality had been established in that case.