By Democrat reporter
An SNP junior minister is facing deselection amid unrest among activists over her hotel bills and decision to school her children privately.
Community safety minister Ash Denham is engaged in a bitter fight for the party’s nomination for Edinburgh Eastern in the face of a challenge from a high-profile city councillor.
Holyrood figures show the MSP, who lives in the Borders, claimed nearly £16,000 from public funds for Edinburgh accommodation and meals between 2017-18 and 2019-20, even though the parliament is in her constituency.
Opponents have claimed Denham gave an undertaking to transfer her children to a state school, although she denies this.
The minister said she was surprised at the criticisms “as no activists or constituency office bearers have contacted me on these subjects”.