Dunfermline MSP Cara Hilton says she will support the campaign to save the town’s Pitcorthie Primary School, despite coming in from criticism from SNP rivals.
Ms Hilton, who is also councillor for Dunfermline south, was accused by the SNP of reneging on her by-election promise to fight to save Pitcorthie.
Natalie McGarry, who ran as a candidate for the SNP in the by-election, took to Twitter to attack the MSP, accusing her of a U-turn after she voted in favour of Fife Council’s budget proposals.
She tweeted: “There you go, Cllr Cara Hilton MSP who campaigned to save Pitcorthie PS during election jst voted through Lab’s budget based on its closure.”
More tweets followed, including this one: “Scottish Labour haven’t tweeted in 14 hours. You’d have thought today they’d be leaping behind Osborne/Balls and in defence of Cara Hilton.”
In response, Ms Hilton said: “The SNP can spin the budget however they want to but in reality this is a budget that puts Fifers first and is geared towards investment in early years, housing, apprenticeships and jobs.
“The council is facing £92 million of cuts over the next four years thanks to cuts from Westminster, which the SNP Government in Edinburgh have doubled when they’ve passed on to our councils.
“The decision on the future of Pitcorthie will be made at the council executive committee on the merits of the case, and I believe there is an extremely strong case to keep Pitcorthie open.
“Pitcorthie Primary is a popular, highly-sustainable school. It’s full to the brim and it’s in an area where the number of young families is growing by the day.”
Ms Hilton added: “I will continue to work alongside the Pitcorthie parents in their campaign to save Pitcorthie Primary School.
“I understand that the proposals on the future of Pitcorthie will go the scrutiny committee on March 18 and I will be writing to the leader of the council, asking to attend and speak against any closure plan.”