JOHN Swinney has hit out at a "blatantly racist" advert put out by Reform UK on Facebook featuring Anas Sarwar.
The SNP have filed a formal complaint with Meta about the advert in which Nigel Farage's party used selected parts from a video of the Scottish Labour leader to claim that he “has said he will prioritise the Pakistani community" as they targeted voters in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse ahead of a by-election next week.
It is followed by a clip of him saying: “The days where South Asian communities get to lead political parties and get to lead countries is now upon us.”
The ad then fades to text claiming “only Reform will prioritise the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse”.
A selective cut from the speech was spread by far- and alt-right agitators on social media last month in a bid to present “our Europe” as under attack from “multiculturalism” and mass immigration, specifically of Muslims.
Speaking to reporters in Hamilton, the First Minister said the video was "blatantly racist" and Meta must remove it from social media.
Swinney said: "The SNP complained to Meta about an advert put forward by Farage’s party which is blatantly racist and attacks the Labour leader Anas Sarwar.
"He’s a political opponent of mine but he should not be subjected to that kind of campaigning tactic and abuse, so I want Meta to act. These social media companies have got to act, I don’t want racism in any shape or form in our politics.
"Issues about racism are above party politics. Anas Sarwar is a political rival of mine, but he shouldn’t be subjected to that kind of attack and we want to make sure we stand in solidarity against the tactics of Farage."
"Social media companies have got to act, which means removing it."
The ad ran online from May 12 on Facebook and Instagram, which is owned by Meta.
According to Meta, Reform UK have spent up to £15,000 on the post which has been seen by around 600,000 people.
The SNP's chief executive Carol Beattie has written to Meta to complain about the ad.
She said: "I strongly believe this content crosses the line into race-baiting and scapegoating, framing the support of a long-established ethnic minority community as a threat to the living standards of people in Scotland.
“I am deeply concerned that Meta's platform is being used to amplify this type of content."
With voters in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse due to hit the polls in 10 days, Swinney has said he is expecting a tight contest between the SNP, Reform and Labour, adding that the threat from Farage's party is "real".
Farage is due to visit the constituency next week but he is expected to be met by protesters from Stand Up to Racism which has set up a group chat to coordinate a response.
Swinney said: "This is going to be a closely contested constituency and the SNP is working flat out to ensure we have the best chance of winning this constituency.
"We want to make sure in Christina [McKelvie's] memory that we win this constituency but we also want to make sure we see off the threat from Farage and it's real in this constituency.
"I’m encountering I on the doorsteps. I try my best to counter it and to address that."
Swinney told The National it was "difficult to say" who the SNP's main rival is; Reform or Labour.
"I think it's still very difficult to call," he said.
"I'm seeing Reform support on the doors, I'm seeing Labour support on the doors, and thankfully I'm seeing quite a lot of SNP support on the doors, but I think it's difficult to call where our principal challenge comes from.
"I think if people are worried about Farage getting a foothold in Scotland then the safest approach to take is to vote SNP."
