Reform's Scottish leader accuses quitting MSP of 'squatting' in a Holyrood seat won by the party

Malcolm Offord says Amanda Bland has no 'personal mandate' as a list MSP and plans to 'squat' for four-and-a-half years. Bland left Reform to serve as an independent for Central Scotland and Lothians West. A Reform source claims she was 'difficult to work with' and had been called to a meeting over high staff turnover. Bland denies that was behind her departure.

Reform drops to 16 seats and falls to third, behind the SNP and Labour.

John Swinney welcomed Reform being 'diminished', branding Nigel Farage's party 'a ragbag'.

Offord insists the loss is 'annoying and irritating' but will not 'derail' Reform.