30-01-2025
Ex-Reform chief quits over link to Facebook group
Reform UK's ex-leader in Scotland has quit the party after it emerged she was the administrator of a Facebook page featuring racist and far-right posts.
Michelle Ballantyne, a former Scottish Conservative MSP and leadership candidate, accused Reform of a "witch hunt".
She had been suspended by Nigel Farage's party after her role in the Facebook group was reported by the Sunday Mail.
A party spokesperson said Ms Ballantyne had been suspended as "standard practice" while an investigation was carried out.
Reform UK has previously said the Facebook group - called Reform UK standing with Scotland - has "nothing to do with the party".
The group contains derogatory comments about immigrants and political figures, including Humza Yousaf, Anas Sarwar and Sir Keir Starmer.
In a post to the Facebook page, Ms Ballantyne said she had cancelled her Reform membership after being suspended and being accused of bringing the party into disrepute.
The former MSP told members: "I no longer recognise the party I helped start in Scotland."
She said she had not posted on the group or "exercised any admin rights" in months.
In an attached resignation letter to Reform's leadership, she called suggestions she had brought the party into disrepute "laughable and insulting".
Ms Ballantyne claimed she quit to avoid a "kangaroo court procedure".
The ex-MSP accused the party of using the newspaper story "as an excuse to get rid of me and then blacken my name should I ever comment on Reform".
A Reform UK Scotland spokesman said: "As standard practice, we suspend and investigate any members that make or facilitate racist or antisemitic comments.
"Reform UK upholds the highest standards for our members, candidates and elected officials."
Ms Ballantyne was elected as Tory MSP for the South Scotland region in 2017.
She quit the party in November 2020 following a failed leadership bid, losing out to Jackson Carlaw. In January 2021, she was unveiled as Reform's Scottish leader.
She lost her seat four months later in the Holyrood election and stepped down as Scotland leader in February 2022, telling The Herald she wanted to focus on a restoration project in Selkirk.
During the Conservative leadership election, she was criticised for previously saying that people on benefits could not have "as many children as they like".
Recent polls have suggested that Reform could be on track to pick up several seats at the next Holyrood election, scheduled for 2026.
However, the party has been dogged by controversies surrounding its candidates and officials.
In December, a Reform organiser in Scotland was removed from his post after it was reported he had family ties to violent Loyalists.
It was also claimed that he had images comparing the SNP to Nazis on his social media accounts.
What is the future of Reform in Scotland and are they here to stay?
