Former Lord Provost charged with stalking offence

Mr Braat's council duties include serving on the Safe Glasgow Partnership

A former Lord Provost of Glasgow has been arrested and charged in connection with alleged stalking offences.

Cllr Philip Braat, 48, who has represented the Anderston/City/Yorkhill ward since 2007, is understood to have been suspended by Scottish Labour.

He was elected as Lord Provost in 2020, serving in the role at Glasgow City Council for two years, and was previously head of the Strathclyde Police Authority.

Mr Braat was arrested and charged on 23 October and is expected to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court at a later date.

He served as deputy lord provost from 2017 to 2020 before taking on the role of lord provost until 2022, and represented Scotland's biggest city during the Cop26 climate summit during that time.

The honorary captain in the Royal Navy Reserves lists membership of the Law Society of Scotland in his register of interests.

Mr Braat's current council duties include serving on the Safe Glasgow Partnership.

He also worked as a part-time parliamentary caseworker for recently-elected Labour MP for Glasgow North East Maureen Burke.

It is understood that Mr Braat has been administratively suspended by his party pending the outcome of any investigation.

A Labour Party spokesperson said: "The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously.

"They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A 48-year-old man was arrested and charged on Wednesday, 23 October, 2024, in connection with stalking offences.

“A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal and he is expected to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court at a later date.”