John Swinney accuses Reform of racism over Anas Sarwar advert

First Minister John Swinney has accused Reform UK of a “racist assault” on Scottish Labour chief Anas Sarwar.

Each the SNP and Labour have complained to Fb’s dad or mum firm Meta a couple of Reform advert operating on the positioning forward of a South Lanarkshire by-election.

The video options textual content claiming Sarwar “will prioritise the Pakistani group”.

Reform has denied the video is racist and mentioned it has no plans to take it down.

Talking on the marketing campaign path forward of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, Swinney mentioned the advert was “blatantly racist”.

He known as for Meta to take away the video, telling reporters: “I do not need racism anyplace in any form or type in our politics there is a duty on these social media firms to behave.”

The primary minister mentioned: “Anas Sarwar is a political rival of mine however he shouldn’t be subjected to that sort of racist assault.”

He urged politicians to “stand in solidarity towards” Reform UK chief Nigel Farage.

Scottish Labour had already described the advert as “blatantly racist”.

The occasion complained to Meta two weeks in the past, whereas the SNP lodged a separate criticism on Monday.

The SNP’s chief govt, Carol Beattie, mentioned in a letter to the social media agency that the video “crosses the road into race-baiting and scapegoating”.

She added that it was an try to “provoke division, stir racial resentment, and marginalise Pakistani residents in Scotland”.

The SNP urged Meta to take away the content material and “apply applicable sanctions”.

The occasion additionally requested for clarification on how the organisation how political promoting can be monitored “to forestall the incitement of racial hatred.”

The Scottish Greens additionally described the Reform advert as racist, whereas the Liberal Democrats accused Farage’s occasion of “scummy techniques”.

Meta has been requested to remark.

Reform councillor Thomas Kerr accused Swinney and Sarwar of “desperately attempting to deflect consideration away from the details”.

He mentioned: “This advert makes use of Mr Sarwar’s personal phrases – if he does not like them, he should not use them.

“The SNP and Labour have each damaged Scotland, it is no shock they’re now forming some type of pathetic and panicky anti-Reform coalition.”

Voters will go to the polls within the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election on 5 June following the demise of SNP MSP Christina McKelvie earlier this yr.

The candidates standing within the poll are:

Katy Loudon – SNP

Davy Russell – Labour

Richard Nelson – Conservative

Ann McGuinness – Greens

Aisha Mir – Liberal Democrat

Ross Lambie – Reform

Collette Bradley – Scottish Socialist Social gathering

Andy Brady – Scottish Household Social gathering

Janice Mackay – UK Independence Social gathering

Mark Wilkinson – Impartial