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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
David Meikle & Claire Galloway

Scots Tory councillor targeted in third petrolbomb attack fears thugs won't stop until he is dead

A Tory councillor whose home has been attacked three times fears the thugs responsible will not stop until he is dead.

Graeme Campbell, who has previously spoken out against gangsters and organised crime, was targeted at his property in Strathaven, Lanarkshire.

Two BMW cars and parts of his home were left burnt out after the attack earlier this month.

Campbell and his wife Fiona fled their home after being alerted to the blaze by a passer-by and were left with only the clothes they were standing in.

Both destroyed cars were later removed and the property was so badly damaged large parts are now uninhabitable.

Campbell, 52, has met with police and senior South Lanarkshire Council officials and has now begun an extended leave of absence from duties.

(Sunday Mail)

He has now revealed he may be forced to leave the local area because he can no longer keep his family safe and he has not slept properly since his home was first targeted in May 2019.

The councillor, who has represented Avondale and Stonehouse since 20007, said: "Please understand Fiona and I love this community.

"Leaving this area isn't what we want but we're not sure we have any option now. The council and police are doing what they can within the bounds of the law but given we're on the third attack in three years, enough is enough.

"Fiona and I simply can't live our lives this way anymore.

"After a meeting with the SLC CEO I will be taking another extended leave of absence but I want to be completely honest with everyone in this ward, I don't think I will come back from this one.

"Being brought up in Northern Ireland during the decades I did, I do not scare easily, however, given the seriousness of this third and most recent attack whoever is responsible will not stop until someone, probably me, is killed."

Detectives probing the attack revealed an accelerant had been poured over both cars and a male seen on CCTV is believed to have set himself alight during the incident leaving him with burns to his arms, body and face.

He is described as being of slim build and was wearing a dark beanie hat, jogging top with two stripes down both shoulders with the hood up, jogging bottoms with two stripes down each leg, a high-vis reflective jacket and a rucksack.

Detectives believe the male approached Campbell's home on foot, started the blaze and then fled towards Strathaven town centre.

In a statement to constituents, he added: "Before I finish, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the incredible people at Scottish Fire and Rescue, including their team here in Strathaven.

"They arrived in minutes, just like they did two years ago and did their job professionally in every way possible.

Graeme Campbell and his wife Fiona Campbell (East Kilbride News)

"I also want to thank everyone across the community, and beyond, including so many councillors and officers from SLC who have reached out to Fiona and I with lovely words of support. Your thoughts are so much appreciated.

"I want to close by saying these attacks are not politically motivated.

"They have all been connected with constituency cases I've been involved in and it's obvious Fiona and I are being punished for my work, and the work of South Lanarkshire Council.

"It's disgusting, unfair and just wrong but given this third terrifying attack, I currently cannot see a way to continue in this role while protecting my wife.

"However, as with everything in life I just need time to process the recent events, take stock and make a decision when it's right for Fiona and I to make them."

The attacks against Campbell in May 2019 and August last year were condemned as an attack on democracy and the matter has also been raised twice in Holyrood at First Minister's Questions.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon blasted those responsible and said her 'solidarity' was with Campbell as she condemned organised crime.

The councillor claimed he had been targeted over a case he had been working on as part of his role with the council.

He quit politics but returned to his role last year saying he would not take part in planning rows.

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