The first minister has defended his decision to lock Reform UK out of a political summit to discuss threats posed by the far right.
Nigel Farage's Reform party, which insists it is not far right, branded the meeting "anti-democratic", calling it an attempt to hinder its growing popularity.
But John Swinney, who last week tipped Farage to be the next prime minster, said Reform's attitude towards immigration caused him "enormous concern", and that the meeting on Wednesday will focus on shared values.
Defending the decision not to invite Reform, Swinney told BBC Scotland's Sunday Show that parties represented at Holyrood had been invited.
The Scottish Conservatives turned down the opportunity to attend the summit, labelling it an unnecessary "talking shop".
While Reform has called the meeting "undemocratic", Swinney argues that it is with a view to protecting democracy.
He told the BBC: "If we are passive about this we run the risk that those democratic systems will be eroded by the challenges that we face.
"The threat that is coming to our democratic system is coming from a range of pressures that seek to undermine some of the central values of our society.
"There are parts of the argument and rhetoric of Reform that contribute to that."
Swinney added that Scotland had always been a "inclusive" and "welcoming" country.