Reform's Richard Tice: I almost weep at decline of Aberdeen

Richard Tice said the destruction of oil and gas jobs in the north-east was a “tragedy”.

He criticised “ridiculous policies” such as bus gates and the city’s low emission zone, as well as the “devastation” of high business rates.

Mr Tice made the comments while campaigning with Jo Hart, the party's candidate at the Aberdeen South by-election on June 18, which was called after the SNP's Stephen Flynn made the switch to Holyrood last month.

The Conservatives have warned backing Reform will split the vote on the right and pave the way for another SNP victory in the seat.

But speaking to The Scotsman, Mr Tice insisted: "The Tories have had their chance. They had 14 years [in power in Westminster].

"They messed up, they screwed up. Frankly, they should just let us take on Labour and the socialists, and then we'd win and then change can come to Aberdeen."

He said the SNP is “responsible for what's happened here in Aberdeen”, adding: "But if the Tories are concerned about it, it's very simple. If you want change you've got to vote for it. You've got to vote Reform."

He said the Tories should "step aside, with embarrassment", insisting: "They are also responsible for the devastation that's gone on to the Aberdeen and the Scottish economy by their net stupid zero policies."

Mr Tice spoke of the need to “turn around this great city”.

"I almost weep as I walk round the streets,” he said. “I hear about the ridiculous policies around the bus gates, about the low emission zones, about the devastation of high business rates.

“These are the things that we’re talking about, and that’s why voters are voting Reform. That’s why we’re leading in polls across the whole of the UK.”

He added: “Thousands of jobs per month are being destroyed in the north-east of Scotland. It’s a tragedy and makes my heart weep.”

Ms Hart, a former nurse, previously came under fire over controversial social media comments.

These included sharing a post calling the Royal Family “benefit scroungers", as well as describing Hollywood actors as "satanic worshipping trash" and appearing to suggest 5G masts are harmful to health.

Speaking to The Scotsman, she the satanic remark was “banter” and “just a flippant comment”, and defended her concerns over 5G masts.

"With 5G, there's not much research been done on that in a very long time about the effects of 5G on health, so I think that's an area that could be looked into a little bit more as well,” she said. "I think we need to research more into it.”

There is no evidence 5G networks are harmful to health.

Richard Thomson, the SNP candidate in Aberdeen South, accused her of peddling “ludicrous conspiracy theories”.

He added: “Only the SNP is on the side of our energy sector and only the SNP can keep Nigel Farage and his bang of oddballs out of Aberdeen South.”

A Scottish Tory spokesman said: “The fact this Reform candidate is happy to double down on these conspiracy theories raises questions once again about the party’s flawed vetting process.

“The Holyrood election result in this area only a few weeks ago showed that a vote for Reform will only help elect another SNP politician.”