DAGGERS OUT IN SNP DUEL
Corri to take on ex cop
The woman aiming to return to Westminster after a General Election flop has become embroiled in an SNP civil war.
Now only former detective inspector Allan Dorans, 64, stands in the way of Corri Wilson seizing the SNP ticket for the Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock seat.
The pair were the only nominations lodged before the deadline passed on Sunday.
But a poisonous schism has opened, with factions piling into 54- year- old Corri’s parliamentary speaking record and vast expenses.
The woman aiming to return to Westminister after a General Election flop has become embroiled in an SNP civil war.
Only former detective inspector Allan Dorans, 64, stands in the way of Corri Wilson grabbing the SNP ticket for the Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock seat.
The pair were the only two nominations lodged before the three- week deadline passed on Sunday.
Bu t a p o i s o n o u s schism has opened, with factions piling into Corri’s parliamentary speaking record and vast expenses.
Rivals say her costs for her two years in London were £ 516,170.63 including hiring her son Kieran, then replacing him with her daughter Shannon.
Her successor Bill Grant lodged expense claims for just £ 154,259.51 over 18 months.
Central Ayrshire SNP MP Philippa Whitford claimed back £ 581,077 over FOUR years.
One SNP member said: “It costs more than double to have Corri as an MP.
“It just highlights how poor value Ms Wilson was as our MP.
“The theyworkforyou website states that Corri spoke in 19 debates in her two years, in contrast to 97 times for Bill Grant over a similar timescale.
“It’s pretty shocking spending for someone only there two years and doing so little speaking.
“Some party apparatchiks fear if she wins the vote then you’re handing the seat to the Tories.”
Corri, 54, spent two years as the area’s MP, from May 2015 until May 2017, before Tory Bill Grant enjoyed a 17.5 per cent swing to give him a six per cent majority.
Published expenses reveal she spent £ 12,540.31 on flights for herself and her staff, many business class.
Other claims included £ 5933 on London hotels for staff and £ 56,949.48 for renting a constituency office in Ayr’s Fort Street.
This included two payments of £ 16,117.42 and £ 10,500 in July and October 2018 – over 12 months after losing the election and presumably to cover the remainder of a lease.
The cost of her London pad was £ 35,786.18.
Last night she defended her position, claiming it was a “non- story.”
Corri said: “I guess each MP travels the way which suits them best, bearing in mind you are away from the constituency Monday to Thursday and have a minimum 10- hour- a- week commute.
“I preferred to get up at 5am every Monday to fly, which allowed me to spend more precious time on a Sunday in the constituency working. I always booked my flights as far in advance as the parliamentary timetable would allow so I could save money.
“There was only one class of flight from Glasgow to London City so I travelled the same class as every other passenger on the flight. As for Bill, I believe he uses the train so perhaps the slower pace suits him, given his past health concerns.
“It really is up to individual MPs to manage their own time incorporating the gruelling travel and long parliamentary hours and their own home life.”
Corri said her speeches could not be compared to Bill’s as he could “catch the Speaker’s eye” as a member in government.
She said: “I lost count of the times I sat in the chamber, bobbing up and down for hours and being denied the opportunity to speak.
“As for the ‘ knives being out’, one look at my Corri Wilson SNP Facebook page and my other social media and you’ll see numerous endorsements from party members, notable people and the wider community suggesting support for me is, in fact, very strong.”
Since losing, she has set up as a life coach and civil celebrant to earn a crust.
Allan lost Ayr West on South Ayrshire Council in a Tory rout two years ago. He was a former SNP group leader on the council and Carrick Academy- educated Met Police officer.
Allan is being backed by council leader Douglas Campbell and a battery of councillors.
He said: “I plan to run a positive internal election campaign to unite SNP members and if elected as the SNP candidate, undertake to be accountable to the public, promise a high attendance rate at Westminster and to keep expenses to a minimum.”
Ballot papers will be issued on Friday and polling day is October 4.
It costs more than double to have Corri as MP