Nigel Farage could fall on a "double-edged sword" with Reform risking becoming a party of "washed-up Tories", a GB News guest has warned.
Speaking to a jam-packed audience of enthusiastic voters, Mr Farage delivered a speech to mark six months before Scots head to the polls to decide the fate of the Scottish Parliament.
However, he also welcomed Lord Offord of Garvel to his party ranks, who became the first member of the House of Lords to join Reform UK.
But GB News' Olivia Utley wondered whether announcing the defection of Scotland's former Conservative Treasurer was indicative of the change Reform promises supporters.
"Another defection for Reform, but no one really had heard of Malcolm Offord until today. Is this a big scout for Nigel Farage to have captured?" she asked.
Olivia went on to ask whether the latest defection to the party "might give credence to the theory that Reform is just a party of washed up Conservatives".
In agreement, political commentator Paul Connew warned Mr Farage that welcoming former true blue Tories to his party ranks might eventually backfire.
"That's the point which I think Nigel Farage has to be wary of," he warned.
Reform UK has welcomed its first ever peer to its party ranks today
|PA/GB NEWS
"There's another lovely irony here, which in fact, Lord Offord didn't mention the investment company he founded, which he made his millions through, is called Badenoch and Company.
"I think these defections could be a double edged sword for Nigel Farage. It's making Reform resemble the Tory party - almost like a merger without a merger, in fact.
"And I think that could potentially backfire. They've got to be very careful about it."
The shock announcement was made while Mr Farage was addressing supporters in Falkirk to mark six months to go before the next round of local elections.
REFORM UK LATEST:
Mr Farage lauded the peer's extensive political experience
|PA
The former Tory brings along extensive political experience to the populist party, which is filled with plenty of individuals who have not yet held the reins of Government.
Mr Offord served as Minister of State for Scotland between 2021 and 2024, and was also Minister of State for Exports between 2023 and 2024.
He had also spent some time serving as the Treasurer of the Scottish Conservatives.
Welcoming the former Tory peer, Mr Farage said: "I am delighted to welcome Malcolm to Reform.
"This is a brave and historic act. He will take Reform UK Scotland to a new level," he declared amid a feverish round of rampant applause.
Mr Offord said: "I am delighted to join Reform UK Scotland. We have an important election coming up in May next year.
"Scotland is crying out for a centre-right narrative to make the country prosperous once again. Scotland needs Reform and Reform is coming to Scotland."
The peer's defection has followed that of former Tory MPs Jonathan Gullis, Lisa Nici and Chris Green, who all announced they had joined the populist party last week.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter