Sir Keir Starmer has accused Nigel Farage of “introducing poison into our politics” amid a row over a Reform UK by-election campaign advert.
The Prime Minister suggested Reform UK is creating a “toxic divide” with a campaign video produced by the party ahead of the Scottish Parliament by-election.
Voters go to the polls on June 5 in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse Holyrood constituency – a by-election called following the death of SNP MSP Christina McKelvie.
Campaigning has seen a furore among political parties in Scotland over a Reform UK advert that claims Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar would “prioritise” the Pakistani community.
The ad – which the SNP and Labour have demanded be removed by Meta – shows clips of Mr Sarwar calling for more representation of Scots with south Asian heritage, although he did not say he would prioritise any one group.
Labour has previously described the ad as “blatantly racist”.
Speaking at a campaign event in north-west England on Thursday, Sir Keir said: “What we’ve seen with Reform in Scotland in relation to this particular video is manipulation.
“It is, as ever with Reform and Nigel Farage, trying to divide people with a toxic divide, and to poison our politics.
“I think our politics is above that, and that’s why I think it’s absolutely right that Anas Sarwar has called this out for what it is.
“It is toxic divide, it is introducing poison into our politics, and that is exactly what turns people off politics.
“That is why restoring trust in politics is so important to my project and the project of Scottish Labour.”
Reform leader Mr Farage played the online ad at a press conference in London on Tuesday, before claiming Mr Sarwar had “introduced sectarianism into Scottish politics”.
Responding to that comment earlier in the week, Mr Sarwar said he has fought against sectarianism all his adult life, and added: “This is a blatant attempt from Nigel Farage to try and poison our politics here in Scotland.”
Meanwhile, Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has said the by-election is now a “straight contest” between the SNP and Reform UK as he urged voters to back his party.
He previously said the race to win the South Lanarkshire seat is “very tight” and a “three-way contest” between the SNP, Labour, and Reform UK.
However, writing in the Daily Record on Thursday, the SNP leader said it is now a contest between two parties.
He wrote: “This by-election is now a straight contest between the SNP and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.”
Mr Swinney described Mr Farage as a “clear and present danger to our country” and said he must be stopped.
He wrote: “The problem is that Labour can’t do that. Their campaign is in collapse and Keir Starmer is busy pandering to Farage.
“And so, I am today asking Labour supporters to act.
“It’s time to unite behind our shared principles, defeat Nigel Farage, and refuse to be divided by a man determined to destroy the values we hold dear.”
In his letter, Mr Swinney said Mr Farage is “not a man who cares about Scotland” and accused him of “promoting racist disinformation about my political rival, Labour’s Anas Sarwar”.
He told voters the by-election gives them a chance to “tell Nigel Farage that his poisonous politics are not welcome”.
Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: “This by-election is a direct fight between Scottish Labour and the SNP, and it is desperate and dishonest spin for John Swinney to pretend otherwise.
“John Swinney wants to make this by-election about Reform because he has no ideas for the future and cannot defend his Government’s record.
“After 18 years, people right across Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse are dealing with the consequences of SNP incompetence – from long NHS waiting lists to struggling high streets to declining schools.
“Nigel Farage and the Reform party are not on the side of working people, they do not care about this community, and people will see right through them.
“The SNP deserve to lose this by-election and only Scottish Labour can beat them.”
Reform UK has been asked for comment.
