A PRESTIGIOUS international society dedicated to celebrating Scotch whisky is facing growing pressure from industry professionals over the induction of Reform UK Scotland leader Malcolm Offord.
In an open letter launched this week, leading industry figures have demanded answers over the appointment, with more than 120 people signing it from across Scotland, the Netherlands and the US.
Whisky writer and consultant Claire Vokins – who set up the letter – requested the society "qualify his appointment" as his party platform "includes repealing the Equality Act 2010, scrapping DEI frameworks, and its leader [Nigel Farage] has publicly stated that equal marriage was 'wrong'".
Vokins has not directly called for Offord's removal, but asks of the society's leaders in the letter: "How was Offord’s induction assessed in light of his party’s stated positions on equality legislation and the rights of women and LGBTQ+ people?"
Posting the open letter, she said: "The whisky industry employs, serves, and celebrates people of every gender, sexual orientation, and background.
"The quaich is a symbol of trust, love, and friendship. Those two things are in tension, and the Keepers deserve to be asked about it directly."
The society has previously inducted high‑profile political and public figures, including political leaders and royals, including former US president Ronald Reagan and King Charles while he was Prince of Wales.
However the positions of Offord, Vokins argues, are “not matters of political interpretation” but “documented, cited positions and incidents on the public record”.
Offord was appointed leader of Reform UK Scotland on January 15 and was inducted as a Keeper of the Quaich on March 30, six weeks later.
The quaich, used in the society’s ceremonies, is described in the Keepers’s own literature as a symbol of “trust, love, and friendship”, while the US branch commits to “an open and inclusive environment”.
A spokesperson for The Keepers of the Quaich, said: “The Keepers of the Quaich is a politically neutral organisation that recognises individuals that have made an outstanding contribution to the Scotch Whisky industry.
“Nominations are based on clear criteria and require a minimum of seven years’ service in the industry and nomination by at least two existing Keepers of the Quaich. The terms upon which nominations are based are clearly set out on the Society website.
“These rules exist to preserve the integrity of The Keepers of the Quaich and are upheld for every individual who is nominated without fear or favour.”
Reform UK Scotland have been contacted for comment.
