REFORM UK’s leader in Scotland hit out today at what he called “fake outrage” over his comments on the late singer George Michael but accepted his words were “probably homophobic.”

Former Tory government minister Malcolm Offord, who defected to Nigel Farage’s far-right party last year, said: “The fake outrage on this has been quite astonishing in the media.”

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, Lord Offord added: “I have had a huge amount of public support from people on this, ‘you told a bad joke and you apologised for it, Malcolm, what is the big deal’?”

His joke re-emerged as campaigning was under way for the Scottish Parliament election.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said Lord Offord’s remarks were “horrific,” adding: “They’re not interested in changing Scotland, they don’t care about Scotland, they don’t understand Scotland.

“All they want to do is further divide Scotland and all they can do is stop change by helping the SNP win again.”