ANAS Sarwar has branded Nigel Farage a “poisonous man” amid a row over a “racist” advert.
The Reform UK leader doubled-down on his party’s attack ad against Anas Sarwar on Tuesday as he played it in full at a press conference in London which was aired live by national broadcasters.
Labour and SNP have condemned the ad, which the party spent thousands of pounds on, as “racist” and have called for Meta to remove it from Facebook.
In the video, clips are played of Sarwar encouraging people from south Asian communities to get involved in politics.
In the ad, Reform claims Sarwar, who was born in Glasgow to Pakistani Muslim parents, will “prioritise” Pakistani people.
But Sarwar is not heard saying that, with clips showing him saying: “Pakistanis need (to be) represented in every mainstream political party in Scotland and across the UK.”
At the press conference, Farage then accused Sarwar of having “introduced sectarianism into Scottish politics”.
Responding to the comments, the Scottish Labour leader said: “This is a blatant attempt from Nigel Farage to try and poison our politics here in Scotland.
“I have fought against sectarianism all my adult life.”
He added: “I was working in Scotland’s NHS while Nigel Farage was on the gravy train in Brussels, and now I am trying to change our country while he tries to divide it.
“Nigel Farage is a poisonous man who doesn't understand Scotland, doesn't care about Scotland, and that's why Scotland will reject him.”
Sarwar also previously told the PA news agency that Reform UK was questioning “my identity, my belonging and my loyalty to the country in which I was born”.
He added: “I am a Scot, a proud Scot. Having worked in Scotland’s NHS, I want to deliver a fairer and better Scotland.
“What these guys are, are chancers who want to play on people’s fears, to divide us rather than actually deliver meaningful solutions for the people of Scotland.”
The ad is part of Reform UK’s campaign in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, which will be held next week.
