Reform UK Defends Contested 'Racist' Ad in Scottish By-Election Clash

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has defended a controversial social media advertisement targeting Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar ahead of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election. The ad claimed Sarwar would "prioritise the Pakistani community," a statement he never made, showing clips of him encouraging South Asian political representation instead. Both the Labour Party and the SNP condemned the advert as racist and called for its removal from platforms like Meta. Farage accused Sarwar of introducing sectarianism into Scottish politics and claimed the ad simply presented Sarwar's own words without commentary, asserting that the backlash indicates Reform UK is "winning." Sarwar condemned the ad as a deliberate dog whistle designed to sow division and fear, emphasizing his lifelong fight against sectarianism and discrimination. SNP First Minister John Swinney also criticized Farage for race-baiting attacks, urging an end to racist rhetoric in Scottish politics.