Millionaire Tory donor Malcolm Offord has defected to Reform UK, saying he could be campaigning “tirelessly” to “remove this rotten SNP government”.
Nigel Farage introduced the previous Conservative life peer’s defection throughout a rally within the Scottish city of Falkirk, the place common anti-immigration protests have taken place exterior the Cladhan Resort – which is getting used to deal with asylum seekers.
Mr Farage, Reform UK’s chief, stated he was “delighted” to welcome Greenock-born Lord Offord to Reform, describing his defection as “a brave and historic act”.
He added: “He will take Reform UK Scotland to a new level.”
Throughout a speech, Lord Offord, who beforehand donated almost £150,000 to the Tories, stated he could be quitting the Conservative Celebration and giving up his place within the Home of Lords as he prepares to marketing campaign for a seat in Holyrood in Could.
The 61-year-old stated he wished to revive Scotland to a “prosperous, happy, healthy country”.
“Scotland needs Reform and Reform is coming to Scotland,” he informed the rally.
“At this time I can announce that I’m resigning from the Conservative Celebration. At this time I’m becoming a member of Reform UK and immediately I announce my intention to face for Reform within the Holyrood election in Could subsequent 12 months.
“And that implies that from immediately, for the following 5 months, day and evening, I shall be campaigning with all of you tirelessly for 2 aims.
“The first objective is to remove this rotten SNP government after 18 years, and the second is to present a positive vision for Scotland inside the UK, to restore Scotland to being a prosperous, proud, healthy and happy country.”
The most recent defection comes as Mr Farage finds himself on the centre of allegations of racism relationship again to his time at school.
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4:09Claims made in opposition to Nigel Farage
Jean-Pierre Lihou, 61, was initially buddies with the Reform UK chief when he arrived at Dulwich Faculty within the Seventies, on the time when Mr Farage is accused of claiming antisemitic and different racist remarks by greater than a dozen pupils.
Mr Farage has stated he “never directly racially abused anybody” at Dulwich and stated there’s a “strong political element” to the allegations popping out 49 years later.
Reform’s deputy chief Richard Tice has referred to as the ex-classmates “liars”.
