Tommy Robinson 'did good work on grooming gangs', says lead Scots Reform figure
Thomas Kerr said “a lot of people can genuinely acknowledge” the effort that the far-right activist Mr Robinson had put in “on that specific issue.”
Tommy Robinson carried out “good work” on grooming gangs, a leading Scots Reform figure has said.
Thomas Kerr said “a lot of people can genuinely acknowledge” the effort that the far-right activist Mr Robinson had put in “on that specific issue.”
It comes after Scottish Reform leader Malcolm Offord confirmed to ITV Border he has told his candidates not to endorse Mr Robinson.
Reform’s Galloway and West Dumfries candidate Senga Beresford endorsed Mr Robinson.
She replied “me’” to a social media post from the English Defence League founder which said: “In the UK Muslims are demanding that sharia law is implemented. I demand that we deport the lot of them. Who’s with me?”
Glasgow councillor Mr Kerr confirmed that Ms Beresford had backed the far-right figure but then argued that there was “a difference between endorsing” and “supporting some of the stuff” he had said.
Mr Kerr told the Daily Mail: “Senga endorsed Tommy Robinson two years ago, before she was a candidate, before she was in politics.
“She supported the work he had done on the grooming gangs scandal.
“A lot of people can genuinely acknowledge that there’s been some good work he’s done on that specific issue.
“There’s a difference between endorsing Tommy Robinson... I don’t believe in holding people accountable for tweets before they went into politics.
“Senga is a fantastic candidate. I had the honour of spending Sunday and Monday with her out campaigning in Stranraer and bits of Galloway West and Dumfries.
“The support she has is unbelievable... I would much rather have people like Senga Beresford in our politics, a working-class mum who’s spent a lot of time building up her business.
“She’s worked hard to get where she is. She runs a fantastic garage down in the borders. She’s got great experience.”
Read more: Graham Simpson 'gave me assurances he did not call me a weasel', says senior Reform figure
He added: “There is a difference between endorsing Tommy Robinson and supporting some of the stuff that Tommy Robinson has said on grooming gangs.
“The wording was sort of lazy that Senga had tweeted. It’s not the best way to tweet and she’s acknowledged that before. She’s apologised for one of the tweets that came out already.”
Mr Kerr also told the Daily Mail he could do a deal with Labour, but only if Reform comes in second place.
Asked about the prospect of a deal with Labour, Mr Kerr said: “The idea I would prop up Anas Sarwar simply because he prefers the Union Jack to a Saltire is nonsense.
“Reform is consistently polling in second place. There was a poll out just this week that showed there is a Unionist majority inside the Scottish parliament if that poll came to fruition and we are in second place.
“Malcolm Offord is then in pole position to be First Minister – the question for Anas Sarwar is would he work with us?”
He added that Labour could “prop us up”.
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.