Amanda Bland, Reform UK’s justice spokeswoman in Scotland, has left the party. She remains a member of the Scottish Parliament, as an independent. The Herald, 19 October. The Scotsman: she is the first MSP Reform has lost, and the group drops to third at Holyrood. This is not a vacant seat. This is not a by-election.

Malcolm Offord had 17 MSPs. Without Bland, 16. At the May election, Reform and Labour finished joint second on 17 each. With Bland out of the group, Labour is sole second, still on 17. The SNP remains first; their seat total is not in these texts.

A Parliament spokesperson: Bland wrote today to the Presiding Officer that she is leaving the party with immediate effect and will serve as an independent. No reason. The Herald approached her; no reply is quoted.

Reform wants her to resign the Central Scotland and Lothians West regional seat so the next list candidate can come in. That is their demand. The list place does not pass automatically if she stays in Parliament. Bland was elected on the list after finishing third in Falkirk East and Linlithgow, 7,906 votes, behind the SNP’s Martyn Day on 14,465.

A Reform spokesperson: a “talented and united team”; Bland should “reflect on her reasons for choosing to isolate herself”. That is the statement, not a finding. The Herald ties the departure to a check: Police Scotland is assessing information on whether some Reform candidates broke May spending rules. The Sunday Times and The Ferret: four candidates without returns, others with unsigned ones. An assessment, not a charge. It is not the reason Bland gave.

An MSP left a party. The seat in the chamber is hers until she gives it up.

Image: Scottish Parliament, Holyrood, 20 August 2013, Ad Meskens, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons. The building, not Bland.

Sources consulted: Reform Scotland MSP Amanda Bland quits party — The Herald; Reform loses first MSP and drops into third place at Holyrood — The Scotsman.