Reform UK Dismisses Scottish Official Following Reports of Family Ties

A Reform UK official in Scotland has been dismissed from his position following reports linking him through family to violent Loyalists. The party led by Nigel Farage verified that Craig Campbell is no longer affiliated with them, subsequent to the Daily Record’s assertion that he is the son of a Loyalist bomber and the cousin of an individual imprisoned for fatally stabbing a Celtic supporter. Additionally, allegations surfaced that his now-deleted social media profiles contained images likening the SNP to Nazis. A spokesperson representing Reform UK Scotland stated that the party “will not tolerate discrimination of anyone in any form”. The Record reported that Campbell is related to Jason Campbell, who received a prison sentence in 1996 for the murder of 16-year-old Celtic fan Mark Scott in Glasgow. During the trial, testimony indicated that the assailant approached the victim from behind, who was wearing a Celtic scarf, uttered a sectarian comment, and then stabbed him. This murder prompted the establishment of the anti-sectarian organization Nil by Mouth. Furthermore, Campbell is identified as the son of William Campbell and the nephew of Colin Campbell. Both individuals were incarcerated for their involvement in the 1979 bombings of the Clelland Bar and Old Barns pub in Glasgow. William Campbell, known by the moniker “Big Bill,” has been identified as the UVF’s commander in Scotland throughout the period of the Troubles. A book published in 2011 claimed his participation in the 1971 bombing of a Belfast pub, which resulted in 15 fatalities. Ciaran MacAirt, the author of The McGurk’s Bar Bombing, asserted that the Scottish UVF leader transported the explosives utilized in the assault into Northern Ireland. He passed away in 1997 and is honored with a Loyalist plaque in Belfast that refers to him as a “true soldier.” Labour MSP Paul O’Kane expressed that Scottish citizens would be “deeply concerned” by an individual with familial ties to sectarian violence and paramilitary organizations being “at the heart of Reform UK’s electoral machine in Scotland.” He further stated: “Mr Campbell must take this opportunity to publicly break with and condemn his family connection with terrorism. If Mr Campbell fails to do so, Reform UK must expel him before they are known as a haven for terrorist sympathisers and sectarians.” Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman commented that Campbell’s appointment as the party’s organizer was inappropriate. She remarked: “It seems like Reform can’t go a week without yet another scandal or shameful association.” Current surveys indicate that Reform may secure multiple seats in the upcoming Holyrood election, slated for 2026. Prior to the general election in July, the party was compelled to withdraw several candidates because of offensive remarks, while two others switched allegiance to the Conservatives over apprehensions regarding prejudice among fellow candidates. Robert Smith, Reform’s candidate for Orkney and Shetland, reportedly shared numerous disparaging comments on social media concerning notable women, including a post implying Nicola Sturgeon should be shot. Reform chairman Richard Tice characterized these insults as “appalling” and acknowledged that “mistakes” had occurred in the party’s candidate vetting procedure. Farage had previously stated that “bad apples” would be expelled from the party, which he claimed had been “let down” by a vetting firm contracted to evaluate prospective candidates. Campbell, whose social media profiles have been removed, participated as an audience member on an episode of BBC Scotland’s Debate Night in October of the previous year. During a discussion concerning the conflict between Hamas and Israel, he suggested that Egypt should be compelled to open its borders to refugees from Gaza “so it’s only Hamas that’s left,” further stating: “And Israel can bomb, do what they’ve got to do.” He informed the panel that Israel ought to be capable of “wipe Hamas from the face of the earth.” BBC Scotland News has not been able to reach Campbell for a statement. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.