Malcolm Offord, the leader of Reform UK in Scotland, has disclosed that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer on 7 May 2026, the same day Scotland went to the polls in the Holyrood election. Offord said he underwent surgery last week to remove his prostate and is now clear of the disease, describing himself as "raring to go" as he returns to political life.
The MSP for West Scotland made the disclosure during a conversation with comedian Matt Forde at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Offord led Reform UK to a breakthrough result at Holyrood in May 2026, winning 17 seats in what marked the party's first significant presence in the Scottish Parliament.
How did Offord describe receiving the diagnosis?
He told Forde that hearing the news was frightening, though his reaction was tempered by having friends who had already gone through similar treatment.
"I've got a couple of pals who have been through this, so it doesn't hold the same level of fear."
"I think the benefit is people now talking about this, particularly men who didn't talk about this in the past."
According to a Scotsman report, Offord told the Fringe audience his prostate was removed "last Wednesday" and joked that he still had "five more years of FMQs" ahead of him. The same report noted he called the diagnosis the "weirdest thing" and said he had been instructed to keep a band on for 24 hours after his catheter bag was removed.
How is he recovering, and what is his message to other men?
Offord said he was feeling well following the operation and was keen to put the episode behind him.
"The thing about the prostate is it is out and gone, I can move on."
"But the point is it is pretty routine, I am 61 years old, about to become 62, it happens in a lot of men that age. The good news is that medics are all over this, they know what they are doing, they know how to fix this, they can fix it fast and there is plenty of life after that."
He urged other men to get themselves tested rather than delay seeking medical advice.
The comments echo a similar public message from broadcaster Jeremy Clarkson, who announced earlier this year that he was in remission from aggressive prostate cancer and likewise encouraged men to seek early testing to improve their chances of a good outcome.
What is Offord's political background?
Offord, a former Conservative peer and government minister, switched allegiance to Reform UK ahead of the Holyrood election. His leadership of the party in Scotland has not been without controversy; earlier in the year a Reform MSP publicly backed him after allegations concerning a homophobic joke, a row that prompted First Minister John Swinney to describe him as unfit for politics.
What happens next?
Offord's appearance with Matt Forde was part of the comedian's Political Party podcast series at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, according to a listing for the Fringe programme, with a further live recording scheduled for 20 August 2026 at the Gilded Balloon venue in Edinburgh. Coverage from the Herald Scotland indicates Offord features on the same bill as Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn during the run.
Key Facts
- Malcolm Offord, Reform UK Scotland leader and MSP for West Scotland, was diagnosed with prostate cancer on 7 May 2026.
- He had surgery to remove his prostate last week and says he is now clear of cancer.
- He led Reform UK to 17 seats in the May 2026 Holyrood election, the party's first Scottish Parliament breakthrough.
- He disclosed the diagnosis during an on-stage conversation with Matt Forde at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
- A further Forde live recording featuring Offord is scheduled for 20 August 2026 at the Gilded Balloon.
