FORMER SNP MP Joanna Cherry KC has joined the court case seeking to overturn the British government’s cut to the winter fuel payment.

Having returned to legal practice after losing her Edinburgh South West seat in July’s general election, Ms Cherry will act as senior counsel in the case brought forward by Lanarkshire pensioners Florence and Peter Fanning.

The Coatbridge couple argue both British and Scottish governments failed to either consult pensioners or release a full equalities impact assessment before cutting eligibility for the £300 benefit.

Launching the challenge in September alongside the late Alba Party leader and former first minister Alex Salmond, Mr Fanning called it a “manifest injustice.”

He added: “My work as a trade unionist and shop steward has taught me that some battles are worth fighting regardless of the outcome: I believe this is one such battle.”

The action —  aided by Govan Law Centre, whose Mike Dailly will act as junior counsel — was given the go-ahead by the Court of Session last week and preliminary hearings are now expected next month before full hearings in the new year.