Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is in Scotland for a major announcement about next year’s elections for a Scottish Parliament, but “unhinged” SNP politicians have already tried to stir up divisions. Mr Farage is to hold a rally in Falkirk and will talk about next year’s elections for a Scottish Parliament. Reform hopes to use the election to demonstrate that it is a truly national party with support across the UK.

But John Swinney, the First Minister of Scotland and leader of the SNP, accused Mr Farage of trying to “whip up hate”. Falkirk has been the site of regular protests outside the Cladhan Hotel, which is being used to house asylum seekers. These have often been organised by a group called Save Our Future and Our Kids Futures, which says locals want action following alleged crimes by those housed at the Cladhan Hotel.

A group called Falkirk for All, which has staged opposing counter-demonstrations outside the Cladhan, will hold a “unity march” through the town on Saturday.

Mr Swinney had earlier described comments from Mr Farage about Glasgow schoolchildren as “simply racist”.

Mr Farage, in a video on social media, claimed one in three schoolchildren in Glasgow do not speak English as their first language.

Thomas Kerr, a Reform UK councillor in Glasgow, said: “John Swinney’s rhetoric is unhinged.

“His consistent attacks on Reform UK are an attack on thousands of Scots who are saying enough is enough.”

Ahead of the rally, Mr Swinney said: “Nigel Farage has no interest in people in Falkirk or anywhere else in Scotland.

“Farage needs to understand that communities in Scotland are not props to be used in his political games.

“For a multi-millionaire Thatcherite from the heart of the Westminster establishment to come to Falkirk and try and pretend to be on the side of working people is a complete joke.”

Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell is awaiting a court hearing after he was charged with embezzlement. He made no plea or declaration after appearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on March 2.