Reform removes Nigel Farage content after complaint by Holyrood bosses

Reform UK has removed social media content featuring Nigel Farage in Holyrood after a complaint by parliament bosses.

It is understood the party acted after being told a video did not comply with the media policy of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.

This states that filming or photography “of a party political nature or for party political purposes” is not permitted within the building.

Nigel Farage | PA

The offending video featured Mr Farage, who was in Edinburgh on Monday, walking around Holyrood and speaking to camera.

A spokesman for the Scottish Parliament said: “On Monday, at our request, the party removed online content that didn’t comply with the SPCB’s media policy.

“We have today sought edits to another post to ensure it is compliant.”

READ MORE: Scottish independence: Nigel Farage addresses claims he is a threat to the union

It is understood Holyrood bosses do not actively police content posted online, but do respond when concerns are raised with them.

Leeway is sometimes given when it can be argued content relates to parliamentary business, but that was not the case here.

Mr Farage was in Edinburgh to speak to Reform’s 17-strong group of MSPs, with a lunch held at the Royal Scots Club on Abercromby Place on Monday afternoon.

He spoke to broadcasters during his visit but did not invite newspaper reporters.

Nevertheless, The Scotsman caught up with him as his car pulled up outside the New Town venue, and asked about a recent poll showing support for independence would surge if he became Prime Minister.

“I’ve heard all this before - if Britain leaves the European Union, Scotland will leave in three years,” he said. “I’ve heard all these threats before. I don’t take them seriously.”

The Norstat poll for Believe in Scotland found support for independence is currently at 52 per cent, but would rise to 65 per cent if Mr Farage won a general election and became Prime Minister.

Last week, Reform MSPs boycotted a Holyrood debate on independence and left the Scottish Parliament’s debating chamber in protest.

Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson accused them of showing “a gross discourtesy to everyone in Parliament” and said he would not tolerate such “stunts”.

Reform was contacted for comment.