UKIP’s Scottish leader arrived has arrived at the Highland count in a plumber’s van, beaming with confidence for his plans to “shake up” Holyrood.
Driven by a party supporter, Mr Coburn’s unusual ride pulled up at the Dingwall count just after 11pm.
Mr Coburn, who is first on his party’s list candidates, told the P&J: “A lot of people today told me they were voting for me. Either they were just being polite or they seriously mean it.
“But a lot of people want Holyrood shaken up and that’s my message. I want to get in there, shake it up, move the direction of travel. I think we’re all fed up with the direction of travel so far and there’s been no proper opposition.
“The Tories are not providing much of an opposition. They’re just having a half pint of what the rest are having. So, I’m afraid they need a proper opposition.
“Playing on the swings and the slides like (Scottish Liberal Democrat) Willie Rennie isn’t going to cut the mustard.”
Asked what “shake-up” he would make, he said: “By asking the questions people would like to ask themselves and don’t get the chance to.”
Would he pack up his bags and go home if Ukip failed to make ground?
He said: “Certainly not. We shall fight on. I shall go to Brussels and do my duty as a member of the European Parliament and I shall fight for Brexit. It’s in Scotland’s and Britain’s best interests to get out of the European Union.”
He was angry that his party had not had a greater share of TV airtime in the run-up to the election.
No Ukip candidate stood for the constituency vote in Highland.