Reform MSP accuses ex-colleague of shouting at staff amid dispute

Reform UK’s Scottish division is facing fresh internal tensions after MSP Senga Beresford accused former colleague Amanda Bland of shouting at staff. Bland, who resigned last week to become an independent, has alleged that women in the party faced abusive and misogynistic behaviour, describing its culture as like a “coercively controlled relationship”. She rejected Beresford’s claims as fabricated.

Beresford said she had heard shouting from Bland’s office and recounted a staff member saying he had not been allowed to attend a party conference. Reform insiders also alleged that Bland’s office manager quit over concerns about her manner, while another staff member had been dismissed; Bland had been due to discuss staff departures with party leaders. A party source challenged Beresford’s motives, alleging she belonged to a leadership clique. Reform won 17 Holyrood seats in the elections, but Bland’s departure reduced its total to 16.