Former Lord Provost Philip Braat faces stalking charges

In October 2023, Philip Braat, the former Lord Provost of Glasgow, was arrested and charged with stalking offences. Police Scotland reported that a 48-year-old man was taken into custody on October 23, and a report was later submitted to the procurator fiscal. This incident marked a significant development in Braat's political career as he had previously represented Glasgow from 2020 to 2022 and was an influential figure in local governance, known for his role during the COP26 climate summit. He had served as a city councillor since 2007 and was a member of several important committees, including the Safe Glasgow Partnership. His work with the Labour Party led to his recent suspension while an investigation is underway. The Labour Party has stated that they take all allegations seriously and will investigate accordingly. The situation has raised concerns among council members and political observers, especially regarding the timing of the Labour Party's reaction to the charges. There were criticisms about the handling of this information, with sources within the council questioning why the news about Braat's charges only emerged recently. Additionally, it was noted that Braat had been employed by the newly elected Labour MP for Glasgow North East, Maureen Burke, until his suspension halted that collaboration.