The wife of Dundee United legend Frank Kopel has “no regrets” about not putting a political candidate forward for next month’s election.
With a month until Scotland goes to the polls, Amanda Kopel said she is glad she decided to “walk away” after watching the “back-stabbing” and “playground tactics” which have reared their head in the campaign.
Mrs Kopel has now published leaflets to let the public know about Frank’s Law because she fears many people think it has already been delivered.
“I’m glad that no candidate is involved as it would have been disastrous with so much mud slinging rearing its ugly head, as is the world of politics,” she said.
“I have been following the last few weeks campaigning and thank God my family and myself decided to walk away.
“The back-stabbing and playground tactics are very uncomfortable to watch.”
Frank Kopel died in April 2014 having been diagnosed with dementia in 2009, when he was aged just 59.
He and his wife paid about £300 a week so he could have personal care in his Kirriemuir home because he did not reach the qualifying age for free services until weeks before his death.
Mrs Kopel wants ministers to close the loophole a bid The Courier is backing.
Scottish Government ministers have given councils £6 million to raise the threshold at which people begin to pay for care at home in what Health Secretary Shona Robison called the “first step” toward Frank’s Law.
Holyrood’s Public Petitions Committee will take forward Mrs Kopel’s campaign into the parliamentary session following May’s election.
“I think people hear that £6m figure and think Frank’s Law has been officially delivered and that it’s a wonderful amount,” Mrs Kopel said.
“They don’t realise that amount is to be shared between the 32 councils in Scotland so it is basically a pittance.
“I know Shona said it was a small step and that it wouldn’t happen overnight, but it’s almost three years since the campaign began and they have had plenty time to come out with more funding.”
She is also concerned the money given to each council will be “swallowed up in a black hole” with so many having their budgets cut by millions.