The Scottish leader of Reform UK faced ridicule after listing the number of houses, cars, and boats he owns during a televised debate. Lord Malcolm Offord, in an exchange with Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer, stated: 'I went to London 40 years ago with £2,000 in debt and full of ambition – I worked hard and was successful. Today, I own six houses, five cars, and six boats. I’ve employed hundreds of thousands of people and paid £45 million in tax.'
He claimed his intention was not to 'boast' but to ask whether the Greens would want more or fewer people like him in Scotland. Mr Greer replied: 'Fewer people like you.' Greer added: 'I think it’s worth, at this point in the debate, pointing out that there are three times as many holiday homes and empty properties in this country as there are homeless children. You don’t need six homes, you don’t even need two homes, everybody just needs a home to live in.'
After the debate, Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay remarked: 'It sounds like Lord Offord has more boats than CalMac and the Royal Navy combined.' SNP leader John Swinney told journalists that he owned no boats. Meanwhile, Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: 'Lord Offord decided to brag about having six houses, five cars, and six boats. The idea that he will stand up for working people is for the birds. The people of Scotland deserve so much better.'
Criticism Over Policies and Candidates
Lord Offord was also criticised over his party’s pro-independence candidates and its policies. Mr Findlay told him: 'You are not only fake Unionists, you are fake Conservatives.' Earlier in the debate, Mr Swinney said Reform UK have 'poisoned' the campaign for the Holyrood election and urged Lord Offord to apologise. The Reform UK leader said he would 'not apologise' for talking about 'real issues'.
Clash Over Racism and Intolerance Accusations
The pair clashed during last night's STV debate, with Mr Swinney accusing Reform of holding 'racist, intolerant and homophobic views'. 'Lord Offord, you want to cut taxes for the rich, your party leader Nigel Farage wants to privatise Scotland’s NHS, you want to deport thousands of highly skilled workers from Scotland,' the First Minister said. 'You and your party have poisoned this campaign with racist, intolerant and homophobic views. Will you take the opportunity of this debate to apologise for how you’ve soured this campaign?'
Responding, Lord Offord said: 'Absolutely not – I will not apologise for going on the record and saying, honestly, what the people of Scotland are concerned about – the real issues.'
