Reform ad targeting me is ‘very deliberate dog-whistle’, says Sarwar

An advert from Reform UK about Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar is a “very deliberate dog whistle”, he has said.

In a paid-for post on the party’s Facebook page, Reform UK played a video of Mr Sarwar delivering a speech in 2022, where he urged more people from Pakistani and South Asian backgrounds to get involved in politics.

The clip, the beginning of which appears to have been edited so Mr Sarwar’s comments begin mid-sentence, is preceded by the words “Anas Sarwar has said he will prioritise the Pakistani community”.

The video ends with the words “only Reform UK will prioritise the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse”, urging people to vote in the by-election on June 5.

The video had previously been posted by an anonymous Twitter account earlier this year and had circulated among the far right of UK politics.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Mr Sarwar accused Reform of “dirty tactics”.

“I have seen it, and it’s a very deliberate dog whistle, which seeks to question my identity, question my loyalty and question my belonging in Scotland,” he said.

“I’m a proud Scot, I was born here, my kids were born here.

“Every single day, I fight for a better Scotland, regardless of what anyone’s politics might be.”

He added: “For them to play this kind of campaign, I think demonstrates the kind of people they are.

“And what I would say to many people who feel a genuine scunner factor with Government, who feel the Scottish Government doesn’t act for them, the answer is not the divisive politics of Nigel Farage and Reform.”

A spokesman for Reform UK said: “Reform UK has advertised Anas Sarwar’s own words, if he doesn’t like them, he shouldn’t use them.

“We know Scottish Labour is ashamed of Keir Starmer’s rhetoric, but it appears now they’re also trying to hide from Anas Sarwar’s record – we’ll be happy in helping them by highlighting his record at every turn.”