Reform UK Faces Internal Strife as MSP Accuses Ex-Colleague of Shouting
Tensions escalate within Reform UK following an accusation by MSP Senga Beresford against former colleague Amanda Bland, who previously alleged a toxic culture for women in the party.
A dispute has erupted within the Reform UK party, with Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) Senga Beresford accusing former colleague Amanda Bland of shouting at staff. The accusation comes in the wake of Bland's resignation from the party last week, during which she spoke out about what she described as a toxic culture for women, likening it to a 'coercively controlled relationship.'
Beresford, MSP for South of Scotland, stated, 'The only shouts I’ve heard came from her (Ms Bland’s) office, nobody shouts in here. I don’t know who she was shouting at, I’ve heard rumours from staffers.' Beresford added that she was aware of issues Bland had with staff, noting that she doesn't interfere with other offices. She recalled an incident where a staffer mentioned being unable to attend a conference because they had to work until the last minute.
Bland has vehemently denied Beresford's claims, dismissing them as 'nonsense and fabricated lies' and 'nasty tactics.'
Sources within the Reform UK party have suggested that Beresford's comments are politically motivated, indicating she is part of a leadership 'clique.' One source pointed out that Beresford's office manager is the partner of Lord Malcolm Offord’s deputy, implying a potential conflict of interest or internal favoritism.
The internal conflict surfaces months after Reform UK achieved success in the Holyrood elections, securing 17 seats. The party's representation has since fallen to 16 following Bland's resignation.
Reports from Reform insiders indicate that Bland's office manager, David Lees, resigned earlier in the month, citing concerns about Bland being curt, rude, and difficult to work with. A junior staff member was also previously dismissed.
Bland's prior public statements detailed alleged abusive and misogynistic behavior from senior figures within the party in Scotland. A former election candidate for Reform UK corroborated these claims, alleging that women were overlooked and describing a 'neurotic, controlling and closed-minded culture' among the party's leadership in Scotland.