A far right group branded as neo-Nazi has been condemned for using children to promote its white nationalist politics ahead of the by-election in South Lanarkshire next week.

Patriotic Alternative (PA) posted images posted on its social media channel on 28 May showing two young males, on bikes, covering their faces with the group's leaflets, alongside banners hung up in Bothwell, north of Hamilton.

"Activists were out at the Bothwell Bridge monument hanging out banners and engaging with the general public, handing out leaflets," said text accompanying the images.

"There will be more to come as we at Patriotic Alternative Scotland continue to promote white advocacy in Scotland."

MSPs said they were "deeply disturbed" by the stunt, arguing that some children were vulnerable to "radicalisation" and viewed as "easy prey by the far right".

The banners appear to be the same as those hung up in the village of Stonehouse by PA earlier in May, as reported by the Daily Record.

One targeted Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, with the phrase "Scotland too white Anas?". Other slogans included "They don't hate racism they just hate white people" and "Scotland built by white people".

Another banner pictured in Stonehouse urged people to "Vote Reform". The white nationalist group is not a registered political party but is backing Reform UK.

PA leader Mark Collett recently joined a far right Scots influencer in an online streaming session to unveil their plans for supporters to infiltrate Reform and campaign against the party's political opponents.

Non-white members of both Scottish Labour and SNP have also been targeted by a far right group called British Movement Scotland (BMS) in light of the by-election. One recent post stated that BMS "does not believe that Anas Sarwar belongs in Scotland".

The Holyrood by-election is due to take place in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse on 5 June. But the campaign surrounding it has been mired in a racism row.

Reform UK spent thousands of pounds on a doctored video which used a years-old clip of Sarwar and falsely claimed that he promised to prioritise Pakistanis.

Nigel Farage's party defended the ad after other parties branded it as "racist" and an example of "scummy tactics".

In March, we reported that the far right Homeland Party - which splintered from PA - was accused of targeting young men after one of its schoolboy activists posted racist, misogynistic and Islamophobic messages on social media.

Far right group condemned for targeting teenager who posted racist content

Homeland said it disagreed with posts, which it claimed were made before the boy joined the party, but defended him as a "true son of Scotland who is doing his community proud".

PA's use of school-aged boys on social media was condemned by politicians.

"As a former youth worker, reports like this make me profoundly sad," said Scottish Lib Dem leader, Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP. "Kids who are lacking support and role models are viewed as easy prey by the far right."

Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman said she was "deeply disturbed" by the banners.

"It is especially worrying to see school-aged young people involved in this kind of activity," said Chapman. "It shows how vulnerable some are to radicalisation, particularly when they face uncertainty about their future and feel let down by those in power."

Chapman added: "Let's be clear, Patriotic Alternative is an extremist organisation built on hate, racism, and dangerous conspiracy theories. Their attempts to spread fear and division must have no place in our local communities."

An SNP Spokesperson said: "Any and all forms of racism have absolutely no place in Scottish politics. It is incumbent on all of us to call this offensive language out for what it is".

PA was approached for comment.

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