Scottish Reform candidate who called Humza Yousaf an 'Islamist moron' quits

A Reform candidate who called Humza Yousaf an “Islamist moron” and “not British” has dropped out of the election race.

Linda Holt, who was contesting the North East Fife seat, was dropped down to eighth position on the party’s Mid Scotland and Fife regional list on Wednesday.

Announcing her withdrawal from the election, she said: “Due to a lack of support from the party, I am withdrawing my candidacy for Reform with immediate effect.

“I thank all those who have supported me, and I wish the remaining candidates well.”

The announcement comes just days after she said she was “delighted and honoured” to be selected as the candidate.

The Courier previously had reported how Holt had made a number of offensive comments about the former first minister on social media.

She is said to have also claimed the Scottish Government was “becoming a Hamas PR support act” while Yousaf was Holyrood leader.

Holt said the former first minister was 'not British'. — Holt said the former first minister was ‘not British’. STV News

Her decision to quit comes after the party suspended one of its Holyrood candidates less than 24 hours after his selection.

Stuart Niven was announced as Reform’s Dundee City West candidate before allegations emerged about his financial conduct.

The Herald reported Niven had been banned from acting as a company director for seven years after diverting thousands of pounds from a taxpayer-backed Covid loan into his personal account.

Reform UK Scotland confirmed that Niven has been suspended pending further investigation into allegations regarding his financial conduct.