Anas Sarwar challenges Nigel Farage to a debate after 'racist' by-election advert row

Daily Record

28-05-2025

The Scottish Labour leader stepped up his attack on the right wing politician after Reform UK said he will "prioritise" Pakistani communities
Anas Sarwar has challenged Nigel Farage to a by-election debate in the wake of claims Reform UK released a 'racist' advert about him.
The Scottish Labour leader said Farage should get his chauffeur to put "Hamilton into Google Maps' and agree to the showdown.
‌
The Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse turned ugly last week after Reform's online attack ad, a story broken by the Record.
‌
The post included an image of Sarwar next to the words: "Anas Sarwar has said he will prioritise the Pakistani community."
It then cut to a video of the Glasgow MSP telling an audience in 2022: 'The days where South Asian political communities get to lead political parties and get to lead countries is now upon is.'
However, Sarwar did not say he would 'prioritise' the Pakistani community.
At a press conference in London, the Reform UK leader played a clip of the advert and tried to blame Sarwar:
"So it was Anas Sarwar that introduced sectarianism into Scottish politics. Making it perfectly clear his priority was to a certain section of the community.'
Sarwar, who branded the advert 'blatantly racist', has taken aim at Farage again.
‌
On BBC Scotland 's GMS programme, he said: "This man has no idea where Hamilton is. I've been in Hamilton most days. I know other political parties have been in Hamilton a lot.
'So what I suggest to Nigel Farage is he should ask his chauffeur to put Hamilton into Google Maps. Come up here. I'll challenge him any time, any place in Hamilton, any town hall, and he can challenge me on my views. I'll challenge him on his views. And you can see that the people of Scotland will utterly reject him.'
Asked about the claim he will 'prioritise' Pakistanis, he said: 'As someone that has been in Scottish politics for 15 years, served all communities of all faiths and backgrounds, to hear that is utterly ridiculous.
‌
"I'm seeking to be Scotland's First Minister, [a] First Minister that wants to serve every part of our country and every person in our country.'
He also dismissed Farage as a 'pathetic, poisonous little man' who wants to use 'divisive rhetoric to spread fear and division'.
Separately, Sarwar was also challenged on claims Labour by-election candidate Davy Russell has been hiding from the media.
‌
A number of candidates appeared on GMS earlier this week, but Russell was absent. He also said he will not appear on an STV candidates' debate on Monday.
Sarwar said about Russell not appearing on the BBC show: "That's a matter for the campaign team and the campaign diary."
In a tweet yesterday, SNP First Minister Swinney also criticised Farage: "There must be absolutely no place for racism in Scotland. @AnasSarwar is a political rival of mine but he shouldn't be subjected to race-baiting attacks. Farage has done more than anyone else to demonise minorities and inflame tensions. It must stop.'
The SNP and Labour were believed to be in a two horse race in the by-election, but campaign sources in both parties say Reform are also in with a chance. The by-election takes place on June 5th.