Better Together in indyref success bonus row

The Better Together campaign has been rocked by a row over staff bonuses for winning the independence referendum.

A string of workers at the now defunct pro-Union campaign were expecting rewards from the group’s cash reserves left over after the September 18 poll.

But The Sunday Post has learned hardly any cash was left after settling the group’s final campaign bills and staff will now not get the pay-outs.

It is understood the bonuses were not contracted but were lined up as ad-hoc rewards for the hours staff had put in during the campaign.

The bonus row, which affects frontline rather than senior staff, comes despite the No camp banking nearly £1 million more than the Yes campaign in donations.

One former Better Together staffer who had been in line for a bonus said: “Promises were made and they’re not being kept. Someone senior cocked up the sums and it looks like we’ll miss out.”

Figures compiled by the Electoral Commission just before the September 18 poll showed that a total £2.7m was raised by Better Together, compared to £1.8m by Yes Scotland.

Euro millions winners Christine and Colin Weir made the biggest gifts to Yes Scotland, with two £500,000 donations.

Better Together’s biggest donation was £1m from Harry Potter author JK Rowling.

Christina McKelvie, MSP and convenor of the SNP Parliamentary Trade Union Group, said: “Everyone knew the No campaign was miserable but it turns out its bosses are so mean they even grudge giving their staff a bonus.”

A Better Together spokesman said: “All staff were employed on fixed-term contracts. No member of staff had any bonus payment as part of their contract.”