Reform’s deputy leader in Scotland says his boss is not ‘most charismatic’ leader

Reform UK’s deputy leader in Scotland has said the party’s Scottish leader Malcolm Offord is not the “most charismatic” person in Holyrood.

As reported by The Mirror, Thomas Kerr took a swipe at Offord’s performance at First Minister’s Questions (FMQs), the Scottish Parliament’s version of Prime Minister’s Questions.

Kerr, who has recently come under fire for claiming that women wearing burqas make him feel “extremely intimidated”, insisted he does not want Lord Offord’s job.

Speaking to the Press Association at a pub in the east end of Glasgow, Kerr said: “Nigel Farage was up a couple of weeks ago, and Nigel made it very clear that we are all very happy at what Malcolm is doing.

“Look, the point of Reform is that we are not polished politicians, right? Sometimes I will say something that gets me into trouble, and you guys will trace me down the garden lobby, right?

“Malcolm might not be the most charismatic person at FMQs, because he’s still learning on the job. I’m still learning how to do stuff in the chamber as well.”

During FMQs last week, First Minister John Swinney told Lord Offord he would have to “think about somewhere else to go shortly, once the man to his right [Kerr] takes over from him very, very soon”.

Asked if he wanted Lord Offord’s job, Kerr said: “No, and I think the First Minister should spend more time looking at the man that’s to his right, which is Stephen Flynn. 

“I think if I was John Swinney, I’d be more focused on the knives that’s coming in his back than Malcolm Offord’s.”

Kerr’s criticism of Offord’s leadership comes after Amanda Bland quit as a Reform MSP last month, accusing Offord and his chief of staff Martyn Greene of misogynistic abuse.

Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward