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Reform accused of 'blatant racism' over Sarwar ad

Reform UK released an online advert containing excerpts of Scottish Labour’s leader Anas Sarwar, which began circulating on social media from May 12 in South Lanarkshire ahead of the June 5 by-election.
The advert selectively edited a 2022 speech to claim Sarwar would prioritise the Pakistani community, aiming to stoke fears about multiculturalism and immigration, particularly among Muslim populations.
The video was anonymously spread first by far-right groups and later promoted by Reform UK on Facebook and Instagram, costing between £8,000 and £9,000 and reaching an estimated 500,000 views in Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse.
Multiple political parties, including Scottish Labour and the Greens, condemned the ad as 'blatantly racist,' while Reform UK insisted it only highlighted Sarwar's own words and refused to remove the content.
The controversy highlights rising tensions around identity politics ahead of the by-election, which could impact the political landscape if Reform UK performs strongly against Labour and SNP in a traditionally two-horse race.

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perspectivemedia.com

Lean Left

Farage: Sarwar has introduced sectarianism into Scottish politics

The Reform UK leader defended his party’s attack ad against the Scottish Labour leader.Nigel Farage has accused the leader of Scottish Labour of havin ...

15 hours ago

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The Independent

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The Independent (US)

Lean Left

John Swinney demands Facebook remove ‘racist’ Reform UK advert

Swinney said the advert, which Reform has spent thousands of pounds on is ‘unacceptable’

1 day ago·London, United Kingdom

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scottishdailyexpress

Lean Right

SNP's Chief Executive reports Reform to Meta for 'race-baiting' advert

Carol Beattie has written to the social media giant to officially complain about an advert paid for by Reform which targeted Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar ahead of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse Holyrood by-election.

2 days ago

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Press & Journal

Lean Left

Elgin man who 'identifies as a car' made racist remarks after being refused food at drive-thru

Ryan Morrison made Islamophobic comments at McDonald's in Elgin after attempting to be served at its drive-thru window.

5 days ago·United Kingdom

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leftfootforward.org

Left

Reform UK accused of ‘blatant racism’ against Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar in by-election ad

Far-right Reform UK has been accused of launching a “blatantly racist” social media advert featuring the Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. In a sign of how desperate Reform UK have become and the kinds of dirty tactics they’re willing to resort to ahead of the South Lanarkshire by-election next month, the party featured the ad on its Facebook page which Sarwar has slammed as a ‘very deliberate dog whistle’ after it claimed that he would ‘prior…

5 days ago

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