SNP files complaint over ‘race-baiting’ Reform UK video featuring Anas Sarwar

The SNP has written to Facebook’s owner Meta, accusing Reform UK of sharing a video about Anas Sarwar that “crosses the line into race-baiting". 

The paid-for post, shared ahead of the by-election in South Lanarkshire later this week, plays parts of a 2022 speech by the Scottish Labour leader where he urged more people from Pakistani and South Asian backgrounds to join politics. 

The video is preceded by text which reads: “Anas Sarwar has said he will prioritise the Pakistani community”. 

It ends with the words “only Reform UK will prioritise the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse”, urging people to vote in the upcoming by-election. 

Residents from the area will head to the polls a week on Thursday to vote for the successor to the late SNP MSP Christina McKelvie, who passed away earlier this year of breast cancer.  

SNP chief executive Carol Beattie has urged Meta to remove the video and “apply appropriate sanctions”, claiming the content was designed to “to provoke division” and “stir racial resentment”. 

In her letter to Meta, Beattie said: “The video strongly criticises Scottish Labour Leader, Anas Sarwar, for promoting the inclusion of the Pakistani community in Scotland and portrays this kind of engagement with the Pakistani community in Scotland in a disparaging and negative manner. 

“I strongly believe this content crosses the line into race-baiting and scapegoating, framing the support of a long-established ethnic minority community as a threat to the living standards of people in Scotland. 

“It appears designed to provoke division, stir racial resentment, and marginalise Pakistani residents in Scotland."

Reform UK has defended its post, claiming it was advertising “Anas Sarwar’s own words". 

A spokesperson for the party said: “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.” 

Holyrood has contacted Reform UK and Meta for comment.