FARAGE: REFORM IN SCOTLAND TO 'GET RID OF THE SNP'

NIGEL FARAGE has claimed that Reform is in Scotland to "get rid of the SNP" as he appeared to rule out any deal with John Swinney to keep him in power.

- David Walker

And for the first time, Mr Farage suggested he would be open to a pact with a Unionist party if it meant the end to Nationalist rule.

The Reform MP was in West Lothian yesterday to announce his party's first MSP after Graham Simpson defected from the Scottish Tories.

The Central Scotland representative claimed that Reform was the only centre-right alternative that will make an impact in the country.

Mr Farage took questions from the gathered media as he touched on migration as well as the electoral hopes for Reform.

There are fears that the party will split the pro-UK vote and gift the SNP another five years in power in 2026, but he was much more positive about the situation. He previously said he wouldn't vote for Anas Sarwar as First Minister but appeared to backtrack if it meant turfing Mr Swinney out of office.

The Scottish Daily Express asked how he proposed to "fix the mess" created by the SNP as he set out his ambitions for Holyrood.