Story perspectives

Reform Candidate Claims Gates Contrail Plot; Parties Rebuke

5/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

David McLennan, Reform councillor and Bathgate candidate, posted a tweet claiming Bill Gates and the Davos summit use aircraft vapor trails to cull the population.
Patrick Harvie of the Scottish Greens called claim conspiracy theory and fearmongering.
A Conservative spokesperson said McLennan called Reform a ‘landlords’ party’ in 2024 and criticised no-fault evictions.
Jackie Baillie, Labour deputy leader, said Reform and Lord Offord have welcomed conspiracy theorists like McLennan.

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Story summary

David McLennan, Reform councillor and Bathgate candidate, posted a tweet claiming Bill Gates and the Davos summit use aircraft vapor trails to cull the population.
Patrick Harvie of the Scottish Greens called claim conspiracy theory and fearmongering.
A Conservative spokesperson said McLennan called Reform a ‘landlords’ party’ in 2024 and criticised no-fault evictions.
Jackie Baillie, Labour deputy leader, said Reform and Lord Offord have welcomed conspiracy theorists like McLennan.