Overview

• Reform UK launched a social media campaign featuring ads suggesting Anas Sarwar would 'prioritise the Pakistani community,' spending an estimated £8,000–£9,000 with a reach of nearly 500,000 impressions.
• The ads use selectively edited footage from Sarwar's 2022 speech celebrating Pakistan's 75th anniversary, omitting context to imply favoritism toward the Pakistani community.
• Sarwar and multiple political parties condemned the ads as racist, with Sarwar labeling them a 'deliberate dog whistle' questioning his Scottish identity and loyalty.
• Reform UK defended the campaign, claiming it highlights Sarwar's own words and accusing Labour of avoiding his record, while refusing to take the ads down.
• The controversy unfolds as Reform UK attempts to gain traction in the Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse by-election on June 5, following the death of MSP Christine McKelvie.