Scottish Education Minister accused of 'pork barrel politics' over school closures Hugh Henry, Scottish Labour's education spokesman, said: "It wasn't about children, it was about votes. It wasn't about the future of young people, it was about the political future of the local SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan. It was pork barrel politics. It was wrong and the people who will pay for this are the taxpayers of Scotland, the council tax payers of the Western Isles and most painfully of all the parents and children who have had to live through months of worry and uncertainty. 'Pork barrel politics' is a phrase coined in America when governments spend money to benefit constituents of a politician in return for their support. Western Isles Council wants to close Carloway Primary School, which currently has 15 pupils and end S1 and S2 education at Shawbost School, which has 35 in those years. According to the Court of Session judgment, the local authority issued "lengthy" proposal documents for each closure that included details of the consultation process, the demographic trends and travel arrangements to alternative schools. After two public meetings, the local authority's director of education prepared a report that was approved by councillors in November 2010. The following month SNP ministers called in the plans under the Schools (Consultation) Scotland Act 2010, arguing that "insufficient consideration" had been given to the impact of the closures. They formally refused consent for the closures in January 2011, four months before the election, prompting the council to take court action. Lord Menzies' judgment, issued today, said he was not convinced that the local authority "failed to have special regard to the rural factors" surrounding the schools" closure. "They were identified as requiring special consideration at each stage and particular concerns that were raised were noted and responded to," he said. Mr Russell said he was "disappointed" with the ruling and the affected communities and parents would be "devastated." He added: "I wish them and the council well in taking forward this process." Angus Campbell, the local authority leader, said: "This is a welcome judgment which demonstrates that the Comhairle's procedures were fair, transparent and fully compliant with the law."