2 days ago
Tory MSP denies talks with Nigel Farage's Reform UK about defecting
Central Scotland MSP Graham Simpson said he 'wouldn't even know how to contact' Reform UK's Scottish leader, Martyn Greene.
A Tory MSP has denied claims he has held talks with Reform and is considering defecting.
Martyn Greene, Reform UK 's Scottish leader, said he had met with several Tory MSPs who were interested in joining the party including Central Scotland MSP Graham Simpson.
But when asked about the meeting by the Sunday Mail, Simpson denied it had taken place and said he 'wouldn't even know how to contact' Greene.
Greene described Simpson as a 'nice fellow' and said he was 'quiet, unassuming and solid'.
He said: 'I may have had a cup of coffee with him once or twice. Quite recently.
'He's not put himself forward for a seat [for the Tories ] as far as I know.
'There's a few MSPs that I've spoken to. There's only a few I would consider because we don't want egos.'
Asked about the discussion Simpson said: 'I don't know what you're on about.
'I've not had coffee with Martyn Greene. I have not met Mr Greene.
'I wouldn't even know how to contact him. I suppose I'd have to go through [recently-defected councillor] Thomas Kerr or something like that. That's very strange.'
When asked if he was planning to defect, the MSP said 'No.'
Simpson is one of several Tory MSPs rumoured to be disgruntled with his current party under new leader Russell Findlay.
Insiders previously told of how Findlay's no-nonsense approach and his apparent popularity with the party's London bosses was not proving a hit with the Holyrood group.
Jamie Greene, former Tory MSP elected in 2016, quit the party in April and launched a scathing attack on Findlay, accusing him of pandering to Reform.
He said chasing Nigel Farage supporters for votes would 'never see the Scottish Conservatives in government' and was repositioning the Tories as the 'nasty party'.
Thomas Kerr, the Scottish Conservatives' Glasgow City Council group leader, quit the party in January after seven years and defected to Reform.
There are now 12 Reform councillors in Scotland with the majority switcvhing allegiances from the Tories.
One Tory member told the Sunday Mail any of Findlay's MSPs hoping to keep their jobs next year would be 'seriously considering' Reform.
Reform was hoping to get its first MSP in Ross Lambie at last week's Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election but was pipped by Labour's Davy Russell.
The seat became vacant following the death of long-serving SNP MSP Christina McKelvie in March.
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