Reform UK's East Kilbride candidate, Dr. Timothy Kelly, has drawn sharp criticism from opponents and local politicians after it emerged he has publicly questioned the efficacy of the government's Covid-19 vaccination programme, raising concerns about the party's suitability for the upcoming 2026 Holyrood election.
Dr. Kelly's Vaccine Skepticism
Dr. Timothy Kelly, the Reform UK candidate for the East Kilbride seat, has faced mounting pressure from rivals following revelations about his past comments regarding the pandemic response. According to reports, the physician, who has held a medical licence since 2010, has consistently challenged the scientific consensus on vaccine safety and effectiveness.
Key Controversial Statements
- In July 2025, Kelly posted on X: "The COVID-19 vaccine narrative was an omnishambles of shifting goalposts, suppressed data, and coercion over consent, all built on a foundation of flawed evidence presented with absolute certainty."
- In a 2024 YouTube video, he stated: "We had a complete abandonment of medical ethics where young, healthy people were coerced to take products, these so-called vaccines which…they are purported to be safe and effective, but I don't see how any product can be labelled this way, especially that one."
Political Fallout and Opposition Response
The Scottish National Party's incumbent, Collette Stevenson, has strongly criticized the Reform UK selection process. She told the Daily Record: "Nigel Farage and Reform UK couldn't care less about Scotland and you can see that in the field of oddballs they've put forward for election." - afhow
Conservative candidate Brian Whittle also weighed in, noting: "Lord Offord is not only content with fielding pro-independence candidates but also those who are vaccine sceptics, too. The Covid vaccination scheme was a fantastic UK success story."
Broader Context
- Covid vaccines 'may have prevented around 300,000 deaths in UK'
- Antivaxxers are blaming Covid vaccines for neonatal deaths - a lack of transparency won't help
- Almost a dozen deaths linked to Covid vaccine in Scotland
Labour's Joe Fagan remarked: "Reform can't win East Kilbride and, if this is the calibre of their candidate, they're clearly not even trying."
Reform UK's Stance
While Reform UK has publicly distanced itself from Dr. Aseem Malhotra, who sparked controversy after claiming that Covid vaccines were the cause of King Charles's and the Princess of Wales's cancers, Dr. Kelly remains a prominent figure in the party's Scottish campaign. His comments have been described by opponents as evidence of a party that prioritizes ideological purity over public health consensus.
As the 2026 Holyrood election approaches, the controversy surrounding Dr. Kelly's candidacy could significantly impact Reform UK's prospects in East Kilbride and beyond.
