Disappointed Irvine MP Brian Donohoe has narrowly missed out on a top job quizzing the new coalition government on their expenses.

The recently re-elected Central Ayrshire member had been up against four Labour colleagues for the Westminster role as chair of the powerful Public Accounts Committee, who oversee all government expenditure.

But last week he lost out on a vote for the position, which would have gained him a £15,000 pay top-up, to former children's minister Margaret Hodge.

See the Times for the full story.