Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Meanwhile,
Councillor Michael Coyle has defended his decision to endorse a rival candidate for tomorrow’s election – his wife Agnes – on his own campaign leaflet.
Mr and Mrs Coyle are both competing for the Airdrie South seat – for the SNP and as an independent candidate, respectively – but Mr Coyle has said there is “no conflict of interest” in featuring his wife in the material.
Mr Coyle’s leaflet features several images of the couple and numerous references to work they have both done over the years, alongside a quote from Airdrie MSP Alex Neil hailing them as “outstanding councillors”.
Conversely, Mr Coyle’s fellow SNP candidate for Airdrie South, Paul Di Mascio, only receives a brief mention.
Mr Coyle was allowed to stand for the SNP following a shock U-turn by the party last month, after he and his wife failed the party’s vetting process and were deselected as candidates.
While Mr Coyle was granted a reprieve, Mrs Coyle was snubbed by the SNP, who confirmed she was “not approved” for reselection, and chose to stand as an independent candidate.
But Mr Coyle claims it would be “impossible” for him to omit his wife from his campaign leaflet – and hinted any dissenting voices may have an alternative motive.
He told the Advertiser: “We have been doing everything above board and my wife and I have achieved so much together over the years; I can’t just airbrush her out of things.
“I’ve previously endorsed Paul [Di Mascio] in the Advertiser and the fact he and I are working as a team for the SNP, and I have mentioned him on my leaflet.
“I don’t think I’m doing anything wrong by featuring Agnes; she has always been by my side.
“Paul is doing his thing and I’m doing mine and we are both determined to do the best for the people of Airdrie South.
“It just feels that there has been a relentless onslaught on my family from people determined to put us down.
“Let the voters decide; they can look at the leaflet and see what they think.
“It’s all down to the ballot boxes. If the people think I have done a good job and vote for me, then fantastic.”
Airdrie South SNP candidate Di Mascio said: “I have been working very hard during the election campaign and had extremely positive feedback on the doorsteps.
“If the constituents of Airdrie South put their faith in me, I will work with all of my SNP colleagues to tackle local issues and aid local services.”
Responding to the use of his quote on Mr Coyle’s election leaflet, Mr Neil MSP said: “My quote is from the Advertiser a couple of months ago.
“The leaflet is very clear in calling for people to vote for the SNP candidates in Airdrie South.”