Former Labour councillor defects to Reform

A former Labour councillor has defected to Reform UK. 

Audrey Dempsey was suspended by the Labour Party in April 2024 after being accused of making racist remarks. 

She had claimed that “racist attacks on white children and teachers” had been rising in schools across Glasgow. 

Dempsey resigned her membership a week after the party suspended her while an investigation took place, claiming an “attack” on her “character and reputation”. 

Reform has confirmed that the Springburn and Robroyston representative has joined the party. 

Posting to X, the party said: “Cllr. Dempsey was elected as a Scottish Labour councillor in 2022 and is a strong local champion for Springburn & Robroyston.” 

It comes a day after former Conservative MSP Graham Simpson defected to Nigel Farage’s party.  

He is the only current Reform UK MSP in the Scottish Parliament.