Nigel Farage is due to hold a rally in Falkirk on Saturday, prompting John Swinney to accuse him of seeking to “whip up hate”.

The Reform UK leader and other key figures are expected to gather on Saturday as the party gears up its Scottish Parliament election campaign.

Falkirk has been the site of regular anti-immigration 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.

SNP leader and Scotland’s First Minister Mr Swinney

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