Nigel Farage reprimands Reform's Zia Yusuf over Ben Wallace traitor insult
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has publicly reprimanded home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf after Yusuf accused former defence secretary Ben Wallace of treason.
An explosive internal row has broken out within Reform UK after party leader Nigel Farage publicly rebuked one of his key allies. The public falling-out follows remarks made by the party's home affairs spokesman, who labelled a former Conservative cabinet minister and army veteran a traitor.
The controversy centres on Zia Yusuf and his fierce online attack against former defence secretary Ben Wallace. According to reporting, the war of words erupted after Mr Wallace criticised Reform's newly announced policy pledge to deport all foreign nationals from Britain's jails to countries such as El Salvador. Under the proposed scheme, individuals would serve their full jail terms abroad and be banned from ever returning to Britain.
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In response to those criticisms, Mr Yusuf took to social media to lash out at the former minister. Writing on the platform X, Mr Yusuf questioned how the former soldier could have held high office and blamed his administration for past immigration outcomes. Specifically, the home affairs spokesman referenced the resettlement of individuals following the military withdrawal from Afghanistan. Mr Yusuf claimed the policy might include thousands of Afghans imported without proper vetting, including Taliban fighters, and mentioned a super injunction connected to the matter.
The online diatribe escalated when Mr Yusuf explicitly accused the former defence secretary of treason.
Mr Yusuf wrote in a widely circulated post. He also referred to the former cabinet minister as a moron on the platform. The post was accompanied by an online poll asking his followers whether the former politician ought to face prosecution for treason."That’s why I call you a traitor to Britain. You fit the dictionary definition,"
Zia Yusuf, Reform UK Home Affairs Spokesman, via X
The fiery exchange quickly drew a reprimand from the top of the party. When questioned about the inflammatory remarks, Mr Farage distanced himself from the language used by his colleague. As reported by HuffPost UK and The Sun, the Reform leader made it clear that the rhetoric crossed a line, stating that Mr Yusuf had gone over the top.
"That's too strong a word. I shall give him a ticking off."
Nigel Farage, Reform UK Leader, via The Sun
Internal dissent was not limited to the party leadership. Tim Montgomerie, a high-profile political commentator and prominent Reform supporter who previously left the Conservative Party, also condemned the remarks. Speaking out on social media, Mr Montgomerie argued that such intemperate language was inappropriate and counter-productive. He stated that political opponents are opponents rather than enemies or morons, describing the attack as a disgrace directed at a former serving Captain in the Scots Guards and former defence secretary. Furthermore, Mr Montgomerie suggested that Mr Yusuf ought to be sacked from his role and noted that he had raised concerns about the spokesman's social media conduct privately and repeatedly with both men. He also highlighted that one of the biggest question marks over Mr Farage's leadership is whether he can bring Mr Yusuf under control, pointing out that intemperate social media output reinforces Reform's negative tactical voting challenge.
The public row has highlighted tensions at the top of Reform UK, coming at a time when the party has seen its poll lead over Labour disappear. Mr Yusuf's controversial post and the associated poll asking if Mr Wallace should be prosecuted for treason remain up on his X feed.
