Tory Reform UK defector Malcolm Offord 'wants to be Scottish leader'

In his first major interview since his defection, he also claimed his new party will remove the SNP from government and is willing to work with any other parties to do so.

Lord Offord also told the Daily Mail that Farage will not be the ‘face of Reform in Scotland’ in the election campaign.

The peer said a Scottish leader will be selected by Reform shortly, and confirmed his intention to stand.

Malcolm Offord said Farage 'would not be the face' of Reform UK in Scotland (Image: PA)

Speaking at his investment firm Badenoch & Co in Edinburgh, he claimed Reform could even remove John Swinney from power in May.

“Let’s be clear, the project is to remove the SNP. We need to give Scotland good government for the first time in 25 years,” he said.

On the prospect of an alliance with other parties to oust the SNP, the peer said: “If need be, leave the politics at the door.”

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Lord Offord also downplayed the prospect of Mr Farage playing a prominent role in the Scottish campaign, saying: “Reform Scotland needs its own voice, its own leader.”

Following claims by Mr Findlay that he wasn’t even personally informed of his decision to quit the party and his role as treasurer, the peer said: “It’s not a perfect world. We now live in a world of digital.”

An SNP spokesman said: “Lord Offord and his friends in the other Westminster parties are clearly lining up to do deals together.”

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: “Reform are not being straight with Scots. A vote for them only helps the SNP remain in power.”