Dying dad Michael wins benefits battle
The dying dad of murdered Craig McClelland has won his fight with benefits chiefs who refused his Universal Credit claim.
Department of Works and Pensions (DWP) bureaucrats cruelly ordered Michael McClelland, 60, to find work – despite being diagnosed with a brain tumour in July and having just months to live.
Cab driver Michael, from Linwood, says Jobcentre bosses have now apologised over his treatment and agreed to pay him Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment.
He said: “They came to visit me at my house and apologised for the way my case had been dealt with.
“They said I should never have been spoken to in the way I was and that I should not have been told to look for work.
“They said a mistake was made and that I would be getting Universal Credit and the full Personal Independence Payment backdated.
“I don’t think I should have had to go through what I did – no one should.
“I’m pleased I’m getting what I’m entitled to now. It’s certainly a weight off my shoulders.”
Michael has waged a two-year battle for answers after his son Craig, 31, was stabbed to death in a random attack by tagged knife fiend James Wright.
He is now backing Labour’s Moira Ramage for the Paisley and Renfrewshire South seat at the December 12 general election after the ‘tireless’ work the politician has done for the family since Craig was killed.
He added: “I cannot praise Moira highly enough for the work she has done for our family since Craig’s death.
“She has been so supportive throughout our fight for answers, and has worked tirelessly on our behalf.
“I know she has the best interests of local people at heart and wants to do the right thing for them.
“Her and Neil Bibby MSP have both helped us so much.”
Crown Office lawyers have been examining the circumstances surrounding Craig’s death before deciding whether to hold a Fatal Accident Inquiry.
Michael added: “We are hoping to find out before Christmas if they are going to hold an FAI.”
Dad-of-three Craig was stabbed to death by serial knife thug Wright in Tweed Avenue, Foxbar, in July 2017.
It emerged Wright had removed his electronic tag just days after being released early from prison and was “unlawfully at large” when he murdered innocent Craig.
Justice Minister Humza Yousaf rejected the family’s call for a public inquiry, claiming police and prison service watchdog reports were sufficient.
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