A DRUMCHAPEL councillor is celebrating after the leader of

the Labour Party sent his congratulations over an honour from the Queen.

Sir Keir Starmer wrote Councillor Paul Carey a letter after the Glasgow Times revealed he had received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to the community in October.

He congratulated the longtime councillor on his work across the Drumchapel and Anniesland ward and vowed to send his well-wishes in person when travel restrictions permit.

Mr Carey, who has served in the North West area since the early 2000s, said: “I am delighted that Sir Keir Starmer has taken the time out to congratulate me on my award from Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II.

“When the time is right, Sir Keir is hoping to come up and congratulate me in person, where I hope to take him a tour around my ward.

“I have had a number of comments from my colleagues and other people saying the award was well deserved.

“However, as I have maintained, this award is down to the work of the local groups in my ward.

“They have been on the frontline, not just during this pandemic, but the whole year.

“I work in a children’s unit with kids who are looked after and accommodated and I understand the pressure on the frontline staff. It is to them I dedicate this award.”

As previously reported, the Labour politician discovered he was being included in the Queen’s honours list late last year.

However, the dad-of-three said the news was bittersweet as it came after a senior source in the party declared new leaders councillor Malcolm Cunning and Eva Murray hoped to remove “dead wood” amid a reshuffle.

Speaking at the time, he said: “I would like to thank the constituents in ward 14 for putting their trust in me and my colleagues in the children’s home, particularly my manager, Wilma Kennedy, for their understanding and co-operation. Without this, I would not be able to carry out my duties as an elected member in one of the greatest cities in the world.”