Tory councillor's house 'set on fire in third attack'

A Conservative councillor’s house and cars have been set on fire in South Lanarkshire again following two similar attacks in the past.

Graeme Campbell’s home in Fortrose Gardens, Strathaven was attacked again, Scottish Conservative shadow community safety minister Russell Findlay said.

Meanwhile, police said they have launched an investigation following “a suspicious fire in Strathaven” that caused “significant damage”.

In a statement, Police Scotland said officers were called to a report of two cars and a house on fire in Fortrose Gardens, Strathaven at 12.20am on Saturday.

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The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service put out the fire and no one was injured, the force added.

But two cars were set ablaze which then resulted in the home catching on fire.

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Police also said a man in dark clothing was seen in the area around the time the fire started while officers.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin McGhee said: “I am appealing to anyone who may have been in the area around the time of the incident.

“I would ask any motorists or taxi drivers with dashcam devices to check their footage as the device may have captured images which could assist our investigation,” he added.

“Any small piece of information could assist us in identifying who is responsible for this attack.

Campbell, who was elected in 2007 to represent the Avondale and Stonehouse ward, first claimed his car was deliberately set on fire in 2019 due to a planning case he was working on.

Two of his cars were then vandalised with a corrosive substance in August last year.

Findlay, who confirmed in a tweet that it was Campbell’s home which had been set ablaze, told the Daily Record: "Councillor Campbell and his wife could have been killed in this disgusting and cowardly attack.

"They are understandably devastated. These are decent, law-abiding people and it is the third time their home has been targeted.”

Yahoo News UK has contacted, Campbell Findlay and the Scottish Conservatives for comment.

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