Edinburgh West MP Michelle Thomson to enter her dog in competition

CONTROVERSIAL Edinburgh West MP Michelle Thomson and her six-year-old Border terrier, Benjy, are to compete for the coveted title of Westminster Dog of the Year 2016.

Michelle Thomson will enter her dog into the competition. Picture; Steven Scott Taylo

Organised jointly by the Kennel Club and Dogs Trust, MPs and their pets will be heading to Victoria Tower Gardens, Westminster, for the contest on September 8.

Ms Thomson was elected as an SNP MP before withdrawing the whip in a row over her business interests.

She said: “Benjy is my biggest supporter and a part of the family. He deserves the centre stage after all of his years of loyalty and service as a much-loved family pet. He will always be a winner to me and proves very popular when out and about or in the office meeting constituents.”