Michael Kelly: A comeback is possible – but only under certain circumstances

He is genuinely ill and recovery must be his sole concern. Now that he is no longer a public figure, he is entitled to the privacy that is necessary for him to undergo treatment and make himself well.

That privacy would not have been possible as long as he remained an elected member of Glasgow City Council. In that role he would have been pursued by the media demanding detailed answers to all the questions triggered by his relinquishing leadership of the council last Monday. Wild rumours circulated and journalists demanded he separate fact from fiction. Fair or unfair, that's the way the modern political world works.

In his troubled state last weekend, he obviously felt that his recovery from illness would be quick and that he could within weeks resume his public office. That might have been possible if he had been able to make a complete clean breast of all the circumstances. His inability to do that meant that resignation was his only option.

Doubt has been expressed as to whether it was advisable for him to hire his own lawyer and PR consultant, when such services were available to him in-house.

But, in these circumstances, it was always possible that a conflict of interest could have arisen between him and the council. He was entitled to appoint whomever he wanted and they were not paid from the public purse. But their appearance on the scene did raise unfavourable comments – especially when combined with his silence.

Much has been made of the media strategy that was employed. Without knowing the facts that dictated that strategy, it is impossible to assess it.

However, poring over the twists and turns as the story unfolded, it seems that the media strategy was being driven by the legal strategy. What its aims were we do not exactly know, but it clearly involved stamping down on detailed press statements or "confessional" frank interviews.

Can he make a political comeback? He's young, he's able and he has a track record of achievement. But coming back depends on whether or not there are any unsavoury facts yet to emerge. However, he must realise that his resuming a public career – no matter how far in the future – will still depend on whether or not the questions that have not been answered today can be answered then. They will not go away with time.

Michael Kelly is a former Glasgow lord provost.