Reform UK's Zia Yusuf has threatened to abolish the House of Lords if peers attempt to block the party's plans for Donald Trump-style deportation squads. The party's home affairs spokesman made the remarks during a speech to the Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank, in Washington DC.
Deportation Force Plans
Yusuf outlined proposals to deport hundreds of thousands of people currently living legally in the UK, enforced by a 'deportation force' inspired by ICE, the US immigration squads deployed by Trump. He insisted the squads would be well-trained and professional.
Threat to Lords
Speaking at the event on Thursday, Yusuf said: 'If the House of Lords get in the way, we'll just sack the House of Lords. I hope it won't come to that.' He added that while he did not foresee civil war, he expected 'lots of protests, lots of people walking out of the Civil Service'.
Conspiracy Theories
Yusuf also aired conspiracy theories about 'foreign money' being used to fund opposition to Reform's agenda, claiming without evidence that there was a foreign interference campaign in the Makerfield by-election. He alleged that 'highly organised people turning up with well-printed placards' were attacking his party, questioning where the money came from. Trump made similar unfounded claims about anti-ICE protests in Minnesota earlier this year.
