A REFORM UK candidate in Scotland is demanding an apology from a Scottish Labour councillor, accusing her of "spreading dangerous misinformation about her living arrangements".
Amanda Bland has said "a toxic pile on" has been fuelled by local Labour councillor Siobhan Paterson who accused a “dangerous wave of misinformation” after she was accused of residing in Leicestershire.
Bland, a first time Reform candidate, said the "smear campaign" has seen an unknown woman of the same name who lives in Leicestershire targeted in a case of mistaken identity.
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Bland has confirmed that she has lived in Falkirk for four years, and has issued a formal complaint to The Scottish Labour Party and The Ethical Standards Commissioner regarding the conduct of current and former Labour officials.
Along with her statement, Bland shared a Council Tax and Water Service Charge letter which showed her name and postcode.
Bland said: “I am disgusted and distressed by the scale of these lies and damage they have caused to my campaign before it has even begun."
Bland further warned the incident has highlighted "the harsh reality" facing women in politics.
She is also demanding a full retraction and public apology from the public figures involved including Joan Coombes, Euan Stainbank Labour MP and former MP Martyn Day.
In the letter, Bland wrote: "I consider this to be a systematic and sustained public campaign to discredit me as a genuine local candidate. It has caused significant and potentially irreversible damage to my reputation, credibility, and standing. It has also resulted in the targeting of an innocent individual who shares my name, creating a serious risk to her safety.
"I entered politics already concerned about the behaviour of Labour politicians. What I have experienced has only reinforced my belief that this kind of conduct is disgraceful and unfit for public office. Our communities deserve better."
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The party's constituency candidates for the Holyrood elections were announced last week during a conference at the Ingliston Country Club and Hotel in Bishopton – which was disrupted by an "anti-facism" protest, while a second targeted party leader Nigel Farage's speech.
Less than 24 hours later, Stuart Niven – the Dundee City West candidate for Reform Scotland – was suspended "pending further investigation" amid allegations regarding his financial conduct while previous social media posts from other candidates emerged and drew heavy criticism.
Other candidates came under fire over support for the far-right serial criminal Tommy Robinson, and for racist remarks about former first minister Humza Yousaf, with another denying he is a candidate all together.
It has also since emerged that over a dozen of the candidates are part of a Facebook group where members spread racist conspiracy theories.
Reform UK Scotland leader Malcolm Offord has defended the comments from his candidates as "fruity".
The regional list candidates will be announced in the coming days, Reform have said.
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