Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton is facing demands to clarify whether his party has held discussions with Reform UK politicians about potentially switching allegiance at Holyrood.
The SNP has called on the Liberal Democrat leader to rule out accepting Reform MSPs into his party following speculation surrounding the political future of Graham Simpson.
Simpson, who represents Central Scotland and Lothians West for Reform UK, has become the focus of claims circulating at Holyrood that he could be considering a move to the Liberal Democrats.
However, no evidence has been presented publicly to establish that such discussions have taken place or that Simpson intends to leave Reform UK.
The controversy comes after former Conservative MSP Maurice Golden, who previously worked as an adviser to Reform UK, was reported to have moved towards the Liberal Democrats.
Golden’s political journey has attracted attention because of his previous association with Nigel Farage’s party, although his work for Reform was undertaken through his political consultancy rather than as an elected representative.
The SNP is now demanding that Cole-Hamilton clarify his position on accepting politicians from Reform UK and address the speculation surrounding Simpson.
SNP MSP Alex Kerr said:
“Reform defectors have already been welcomed into the Liberal Democrats and now this, it’s time Alex Cole-Hamilton spilled the truth on what on earth is going on in the Liberal democrats?
“People who voted Liberal Democrat were not voting to see Reform UK MSPs offered safe harbour in their ranks, it’s illiberal and undemocratic.
“Rumours are swirling around Holyrood that Alex Cole-Hamilton has held shadowy talks with Graham Simpson to woo him from Nigel Farage’s party into the Liberal Democrats, it’s time Alex Cole-Hamilton came out the shadows and ruled this out.
“Under the SNP, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK will be offered to quarter or influence, it is time the Liberal Democrats followed suit.”
The intervention highlights growing political tensions over the movement of politicians between parties at Holyrood, particularly where those parties have publicly expressed opposing political positions.
For the Liberal Democrats, the immediate question is whether they would consider accepting an elected Reform UK representative and, more specifically, whether any approach involving Graham Simpson has actually been made.
There is currently no verified evidence that Cole-Hamilton has held talks with Simpson about a possible defection.
Neither the speculation nor the SNP’s demands establish that any agreement or negotiation exists.
The issue nevertheless leaves Cole-Hamilton facing a straightforward political question about his party’s position on potential Reform UK defectors.
Until those directly involved address the claims, the suggestion of a possible move remains political speculation rather than an established development.
