Shropshire Star

Reform suspends Holyrood candidate less than 24 hours after being announced

The party said it is investigating reports surrounding Stuart Niven’s financial conduct.

By contributor Craig Meighan, Press Association Scotland Political Reporter
Published
Supporting image for story: Reform suspends Holyrood candidate less than 24 hours after being announced
Reform UK Scotland announced its candidates for May’s Holyrood election on Thursday (Jane Barlow/PA)

Reform UK has suspended one of its Holyrood candidates less than 24 hours after his selection was confirmed by the party.

Stuart Niven was announced as Reform’s Dundee City West candidate on Thursday afternoon, but just hours later allegations emerged about his financial conduct.

The Herald reported Mr 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 on Friday Mr Niven has been suspended pending further investigation into allegations regarding his financial conduct.

A spokesperson said: “We take allegations like this very seriously, and a full investigation is under way.”