Row between Farage and Sarwar rages on as Reform UK leader visits Scotland
Mr Farage doubled down on his attacks against the Scottish Labour leader, which come in the wake of a Reform UK online ad that has already been branded 'racist' by opponents.
Mr Sarwar meanwhile insisted Mr Farage was the 'chief clown', adding that having 'finally found his way to Scotland' the Reform leader had shown 'just how totally out of touch with our country he is'.
The pair clashed after Mr Farage gave a press conference in Aberdeen, insisting his party has made 'remarkable strides in Scotland over the past year'.
We are delighted to welcome former Scottish Labour Councillor @JamieMcGuire__ ✅ pic.twitter.com/yuTg1M4WeY
— Reform UK Scotland (@ReformUKScot) June 2, 2025
Councillor Duncan Massey, who had previously been a Tory member of Aberdeen City Council, was unveiled as a latest defector to Reform, along with former Labour councillor Jamie McGuire.
Speaking as noisy protesters gathered outside the press conference, the Reform UK leader said if the polls are to be believed 'we are beginning to eclipse Labour to be the second most popular party in Scottish politics'.
Mr Farage meanwhile predicted his party would come at least third in Thursday's Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, adding that if it wins it would be 'biggest earthquake Scottish politics has ever seen'.
Much of the campaign for that Holyrood by-election has been dominated by a row over an online Reform advert, which claims that Mr Sarwar will 'prioritise' the Pakistani community in Scotland.
Speaking on Monday, Mr Farage alleged that the Scottish Labour leader has a 'record of obsession' on the issue of race – citing a speech he gave in Holyrood in 2020 as evidence of this.
Meanwhile, he insisted Reform UK 'don't talk about race at all'.
Mr Farage pointed out his party's chairman, Zia Yusuf, was someone who 'is Scottish-born, but comes from parents who come from the Indian subcontinent'.
The Reform leader continued: 'We think everybody should be treated equally. We object, very strongly, to the segmentation of people into different types.'
Adding that the Scottish Labour leader has a 'record of obsession on this issue', he referenced a speech Mr Sarwar gave in 2020 where he noted that key figures across Scotland, from the judiciary, to council chief executives to head teachers, were all white.
Mr Farage said: 'I think that speech he gave was sectarian in its very nature – 'we are the south Asian community, we are going to take over the country and take over the world'.
'We believe what he said was a form of sectarian politics and we don't like it one little bit.'
Mr Sarwar hit back, saying: 'Today, the chief clown Nigel Farage finally found his way to Scotland and showed just how totally out of touch with our country he is.
'Nigel Farage turned up, admitted he can't win the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, and pledged to cut funding for Scotland's NHS and public services.
'Nigel Farage is a dangerous clown and the people of Scotland see right through him.'
Mr Farage also hit out at First Minister John Swinney, telling the Scottish Sun that the SNP leader – who has made a number of attacks against Reform – was 'anti-English'.
The only way the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse can be confident that they will be voting for hope is by voting SNP to stop Farage and for a better future for Scotland.
On the 5th of June, Vote SNP to stop Farage and elect a MSP who will always be on your side. pic.twitter.com/AvDUW6tgoI
— The SNP (@theSNP) May 31, 2025
With the the First Minister having branded Mr Farage and his party 'poisonous', the Reform leader said such 'deeply provocative' comments showed a 'sort of quite unpleasant anti-Englishness'.
Mr Swinney however told the PA news agency: 'I've always taken forward my politics on the basis of inclusion, of welcoming people, of working with others – that's what I'm about.
'Nigel Farage is the opposite of that.
'Nigel Farage stokes division, he seeks to put people against each other and we're bringing people together in Scotland to create the best future for our country.'
The row continued as Mr Farage also used his press conference to again speak out against the 'madness' of the net zero policies being pursued by the governments at Holyrood and Westminster.
He told reporters these had left the oil and gas industry, which is centred in Aberdeen, 'in serious decline'.
He insisted: 'Even the most ardent proponent of net zero has to accept the world will still be using oil and gas up until 2050 and beyond.
'And yet we have decided to sacrifice this industry as a consensus around net zero has emerged.'
As a result of this, he said parts of Scotland, England and Wales were 'literally deindustrialising before our very eyes'.
Mr Farage said: 'The madness of this is almost completely and utterly beyond belief.'
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Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
The reason Glaswegians are so grateful to 12th century churchman
This was a huge turning point for Glasgow, and its future as a thriving, modern metropolis was set in motion. This year, the city is celebrating its 850th anniversary. But who was Jocelin, the Bishop upon whom William of Lion, King of Scotland, bestowed this honour? Born in 1134, Jocelin was a Cistercian monk, based at Melrose Abbey during the 1160s. In 1170 he was appointed to be the fourth abbot there, a post he held for four years. In February 1174, on the death of the then Bishop, Jocelin was appointed to be the Bishop of Glasgow by the clergy, 'the people requesting and the king consenting' on May 23, 1174. The bishopric survived claims from the Bishop of St Andrews who considered himself 'Bishop of the Scots' and by longstanding claims by the Archbishops of York to subject the Scottish bishops to their authority. In 1175, Jocelin obtained a papal exemption from the authority of any bishop or archbishop, safeguarding him from any such claims, declaring the bishopric of Glasgow to be a 'special daughter of the Holy See.' That is, subject directly to Rome - a privilege later extended to the whole of the Scottish Church. City Charters showing Burgh Charter (Image: Scottish Catholic Collection Trust) This papal bull was confirmed in 1181 by Pope Lucius III when Jocelin travelled to Rome to appeal, on King William's behalf, against the King's excommunication by the Pope in an argument about the succession to the bishopric of St Andrews. Jocelin played a major role not only on the settlement that grew up around Glasgow Cathedral but in wider town and diocesan affairs. In about 1180. Jocelin commissioned a new Life of Kentigern from a monk of Furness, in Lancashire, whose name was also Jocelin. The purpose of getting his namesake to compile a biography of St Kentigern was to rouse enthusiasm over Glasgow's patron saint. Extract from Life of St Mungo (Image: Glasgow City Archives) He intended to create a powerful cult around St Mungo; helping to avoid any future threat of having to succumb to the supremacy of the Archbishop of York; and promoting the collection of funds for the erection of the church which was to be so intimately associated with his name. In terms of the cathedral, Jocelin began the erection of a nave as an addition to the already existing choir, but before 1189 and before the work was far advanced, it was interrupted by a fire. Bishop Jocelin took energetic measures to raise funds for its restoration. There is contemporary evidence as to what was happening around the rebuilding a few years later. Acting with the cooperation or counsel of the abbots, priors and other clergy in the bishopric, Jocelin was raising funds and promoting the rebuilding of the cathedral. Jocelin seal (Image: Glasgow City Archives) Jocelin secured large accessions of property throughout the kingdom with a view to the rebuilding of his cathedral, which had been destroyed by fire. His commission of a new life of Glasgow's patron saint was to excite public interest, and he procured a royal injunction that the undertaking should receive general support throughout the kingdom. On July 6, 1197, the 24th year of his episcopacy, Jocelin dedicated the new cathedral church. It was consecrated by Jocelin, with two other bishops assisting. It was not, however, completed for many years afterwards. Bishop Jocelin died on March 17, 1199 at his old abbey of Melrose and was buried there in the monk's choir. His 25-year tenure as Bishop of Glasgow was highly successful in promoting the best interests, both civil and spiritual, of the wide district over which he exercised his authority. Of all his endeavours perhaps the most permanently beneficial was the establishment of a burgh at Glasgow - the foundation charter of Glasgow's greatness, but the matters which attracted most attention in his own day were probably those connected with ecclesiastical affairs throughout the bishopric, and, most prominent of all, the rebuilding of the cathedral. And in one other way, Jocelin left a great legacy for the city. Glaswegians will be ever grateful that in the early 1190s he persuaded the king to granted Glasgow an annual fair. Its original emphasis was on trade, primarily of horse, cattle and produce markets, first held within the boundaries of Glasgow Cathedral, but its focus later shifted to entertainment - circuses, fairground rides, shows and amusements – and Glasgow's industrialists gave their workers their annual holiday during the week of the Fair. The Glasgow Fair Fortnight may not be as religiously observed as it once was, when the entire city closed down and everyone went on holiday, but it remains a tradition held dear to this day.
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Readers' Letters: SNP would leave Scots defenceless in face of aggressive Russia
Government policies have shot down chance of a lucrative welding plant being sighted in Scotland, says reader Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scottish Enterprise has decided to withdraw a £2.5 million grant for a welding centre to support the UK's submarine fleet. This initiative, led by Rolls Royce no less, would have injected £11m into the Scottish economy. The funding was pulled thanks to SNP policy. The SNP opposes the defence of the UK on the pathetic grounds that they dislike nuclear weapons. Well, so do I, especially the ones pointed at us by Russia. 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Yes please Lord Steel of Aikwood (Letters, 2 June) is correct in saying that 'the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament is required to give up party membership and be neutral'. Would that that were so. Alison Johnstone has allowed flagrant breaches of acceptable behaviour by SNP ministers, but it is Conservative Douglas Ross who has been sanctioned for trying to get answers from them. Only a couple of weeks ago, Ms Johnstone was unmoved when John Swinney roared 'the Conservative Party is a disgusting organisation', without requesting that he moderate his language. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad More recently, Ash Regan asked a detailed, courteous and reasonable question of Shirley-Anne Somerville, the social security minister: 'Trans-identifying people deserve dignity and honesty, but women and girls deserve safety. 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Jill Stephenson, Edinburgh Bank clearances Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Further to Katharine Hay's article on the 'new clearances' (2 June), I quote the words of the late Norman Vincent, who said in an interview with STV on the closure of the four Bank of Scotland branches in Sutherland, 'Well this is just like the second Highland Clearance.' The first removed people for sheep. The second is moving people for wind turbines, battery energy storage systems (BESS) and pylon lines. Michael Baird, Bonar Bridge, Highland Crowded house Re: your editorial, 'Tribute band to upstage Oasis? Murrayfield showdown looms' (3 June), it's bad enough being invaded three times in a week during the Festival, when the city is already bursting at its seams, by Oasis fans, without the prospect of several thousand more Oasis tribute band fans in the Ice Rink. Your editorial naively speaks of the crowds mixing in local bars after the shows. There are four local bars! This is a residential area, totally unable to cope with tens of thousands of fans pouring in over a five-day period. It's madness! Brian Bannatyne-Scott, Edinburgh Write to The Scotsman Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
University funding no longer fit for purpose
The University of Edinburgh's Old College The quality and excellence of Edinburgh's universities is undeniable – we are the birthplace of the enlightenment and with that comes a global reputation for innovation and academic firsts. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... But the longevity and the survival of that reputation is not inevitable and the funding crisis looming large over our academic institutions is something we must take exceptionally seriously. Readers will be aware of the funding crisis currently raging at Dundee University, where hundreds of jobs have been placed under threat and Scottish Government bodies have stepped in to deliver emergency funding. But while Dundee is one of the most extreme examples, they are certainly not alone. Analysis by my party has indicated that almost half of the country's higher education institutions fell into deficit in 2024. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Soaring energy bills, the increase in employers' National Insurance contributions and a drop-off in academic funding from the Scottish Government has created a perfect storm, and in recent months the University of Edinburgh has been the latest to signal that they are also entering a period of financial difficulty. Given the scale of the savings the university has signalled it may have to make, the University and Colleges Union (UCU) has stated this could equate to as many as 1750 job losses. Unsurprisingly, I've had loads of emails from constituents, members of university staff and their students, concerned about potential job cuts. As a result I sought a meeting with Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University, Sir Peter Mathieson. At a meeting in the Scottish Parliament he offered myself and other Edinburgh MSPs a comprehensive overview of the challenging funding position in which Edinburgh currently finds itself. Much of his briefing was commercially sensitive and would not be appropriate to share in this column. The workforce deserves certainty. When I asked him directly about the rumoured job losses, he said he did not recognise the UCU's 1750 figure. While he stated it would be irresponsible to rule out compulsory redundancies entirely, voluntary redundancies seem set to be part of bosses' plans to make savings and avoid what they describe as an unsustainable situation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad We need to know what exactly that would mean for teaching, research, and current and future students. I will continue to keep the pressure up on behalf of staff who are proud to work at our world-class university and I share the determination to protect that hard-won status. Coincidentally, I had met with the Taipei representative to Scotland just a couple of hours before. So, I also asked Sir Peter how dependent the university is on tuition fees from Chinese students. I did so because it's quite reasonable to believe that if there was a global shock in the Taiwan Strait, such as a blockade or worse still an invasion, then the Chinese government would become a global pariah overnight. The loss of Chinese students would be catastrophic to the financial outlook of all Scotland's universities and Sir Peter confirmed that it would drive a 'coach and horses' through their planning assumptions. Around 20 per cent of Edinburgh students are Chinese, they each pay nearly £30k per year and they represent a huge slice of the university's income. I dread to think of the consequences were that income to be lost. The current higher education funding crisis is a wake-up call. The current way we fund our universities is no longer fit for purpose and is exposed to unacceptable geopolitical risk. It's time the Scottish Government woke up to that. Alex Cole-Hamilton is Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and MSP for Edinburgh Western
