The “whole existence of the Scottish Parliament” will be threatened if Reform UK takes power at Westminster, John Swinney has said during an event with actor Alan Cumming.
The SNP leader also said that Scottish independence would be a “front door conversation” with the UK Government if his party wins a majority at Holyrood.
Reform UK said the First Minister’s claims about their stance on devolution were “outright lies”.
The First Minister joined the Hollywood actor during the final days of campaigning before Scotland votes on Thursday.
The Perthshire-born star, who splits his time between New York and Scotland, held a fireside conversation with the First Minister in front of an audience in Edinburgh on Monday evening.
Polls suggest Reform UK, led in Scotland by Malcolm Offord, could come in second place.
Mr Swinney said there was a “very high risk” of Reform taking power at the next UK general election.
He said: “If that’s the case – if you think our values are under threat just now, just wait until they get into power in the United Kingdom, and the whole existence of the Scottish Parliament will be threatened.”
Mr Swinney continued: “On Friday, I’m afraid to say some of them will be members of the Scottish Parliament.
“And within it there will be direct people who don’t believe in the institution and that’s a big threat to Scottish self-government.
“And if a Reform government gets in in the UK in 2028/29, it will be a direct threat to the concept of Scottish self-government. So that’s why we need to be independent.”
Cumming had earlier asked the First Minister about his plans for advancing Scottish independence if his party wins a majority.
Mr Swinney has said he would pursue another independence referendum if the SNP wins a majority of Holyrood’s 129 seats, something repeatedly refused by successive UK governments.
The SNP leader said: “I certainly will not side-channel the conversation (with the UK Government).
“If I get an overall majority on Thursday, it will be a very front-door conversation with the UK Government as a consequence of what people vote for on Thursday.”
Mr Swinney also reflected on his recent call with Donald Trump, who he spoke to by phone after the US president lifted tariffs on Scotch whisky.
An evening with Alan Cumming and First Minister John Swinney.
— The SNP (@theSNP) May 2, 2026
Expect sharp conversation, a few laughs, and a proper discussion about Scotland's potential.https://t.co/nAljjllLN9 pic.twitter.com/Ie8sSd17vL
The call took place in a garden centre, Mr Swinney said, as he was out on the campaign trail.
Mr Swinney said: “He was saying the reason why he’d lifted the tariff was in honour of the King, but the rationale for doing it was a proposition I had put to him.”
He said that improving trade between Scotland and Kentucky on bourbon casks, which are used to mature Scotch whisky, had been the key argument.
Thomas Kerr, who is Reform UK’s candidate in Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston, said: “Poor John – bless his wee cotton socks.
“We’re just days away from a historic election and his desperation is on full show now, resorting to outright lies.
“Reform backs devolution and the Scottish Parliament. The problem isn’t the institution, it’s the useless politicians within it.
“Swinney has shown himself up during this campaign as a Nasty Nat who doesn’t deserve to be First Minister.”
