Overview

• The SNP and Scottish Labour have lodged formal complaints with Meta over a paid Facebook ad that misquotes Anas Sarwar as pledging to “prioritise the Pakistani community.”
• Meta’s advert library shows the video has run since May 12, cost between £8,000 and £15,000, and garnered over half a million views on Facebook and Instagram.
• Reform UK maintains the clip uses only Sarwar’s own words, with Nigel Farage insisting no commentary was added and arguing the footage reflects his party’s commitment to the constituency.
• At a London press conference, Farage accused Sarwar of introducing sectarianism into Scottish politics, while a Reform UK candidate admitted the slogan originated with the party and threatened libel action against claims it was racist.
• The June 5 Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election has become a three-way contest as Reform UK gains ground on Labour and the SNP in a test of voter sentiment before Scotland’s 2026 parliament elections.