Election Diary: Bizarre cardboard cut-outs, judo and Kanye West

Scottish Labour's Jackie Baillie staged a bizarre - and slightly disquieting - photo op outside SNP HQ in Edinburgh on Thursday. Posing with a cardboard cut-out of John Swinney, she accused the FM of dodging press scrutiny. It later turned out Mr Swinney's face had actually been pasted on to a cardboard cut-out of Nigel Farage. "If I ever invite you to a stunt like this at 20 points behind, please stage an intervention," a source close to Mr Swinney texted.

Football mad

In Inverclyde that same day, Reform's Scottish leader Malcolm Offord was asked if he would support Greenock Morton or Glasgow Rangers if they drew each other in the cup. Lord Offord - who was reportedly in talks to become chairman of the Ibrox club in December 2024 - emphatically answered that he would back The Ton. Asked to name any players, however, he drew a blank. In fairness, it must be tricky following Scottish Championship football from the deck of your yacht.

Surf’s up

The Scotsman went surfing with Alex Cole-Hamilton on Monday as part of our new series of leader interviews (you can watch the video on YouTube). A couple of days later, the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader was up in Tain for a judo workshop with party councillor Connie Ramsay. We’re told Highland Lib Dem staff came flocking from miles around to watch Mr Cole-Hamilton get decked by the Commonwealth medallist. Sweet, sweet schadenfreude.

Gaelic woes

On the subject of the Lib Dems, the party has just submitted its Gaelic language party election broadcast. After a couple of attempts with candidates and councillors fell flat, it was decided to go with Highland Lib Dem organiser Innes Munro’s granny. Unfortunately, no one in the press team speaks Gaelic, so they have no idea whether she delivered the message correctly. Fingers crossed, eh?

Change of tune

John Swinney got himself into a bit of a pickle over Kanye West on Tuesday. The SNP leader appeared to suggest he wasn’t particularly bothered about the rapper - who has a history of racist and antisemitic comments - playing the Wireless festival, but U-turned a short while later after admitting he had not been aware of the background. “It is inconceivable that John Swinney did not know about Kanye West’s abhorrent comments,” fumed Labour’s Paul O’Kane. “It is either that, or he is completely out of touch and is not across major issues.” Wireless was due to take place in London, and Mr Swinney is 61 years old. We’d gently suggest it’s not that inconceivable he wasn’t across the detail on this one.

Cry baby

To Glasgow, where Anas Sarwar was handed one of his staffer's toddlers while visiting a café in Dennistoun. Unfortunately, the poor wean started to wail as soon as he was in the beleaguered Scottish Labour leader's arms. Mr Sarwar quickly handed him back to his dad - which was just as well, because a snapper was on him in a flash. Maybe someone told the kid Labour’s polling ratings.

Iceberg ahoy

We note a Titanic Exhibition finishes up at the P&J Live arena in Aberdeen the day before Reform is due to host a big rally there on Monday. Sinking ships? Lifeboats for ex-Tories only? Write your own jokes.