Reform UK has suspended senior figure Tim Montgomerie following his repeated criticism of Nigel Farage's party. The suspension comes after Mr Montgomerie launched a scathing attack on Zia Yusuf during a podcast interview, claiming Mr Farage is getting sick of Reform's Home Affairs spokesman and accusing him of acting like a child.
Background to the suspension
Mr Montgomerie's remarks were made during an interview with the Spectator, but The Express understands he was suspended before the interview was broadcast. The suspension follows persistent public criticism of the party over many months.
The previous week, Mr Montgomerie condemned Mr Yusuf for calling a former Tory cabinet minister who served in the Army "a traitor to Britain". He went public to say Mr Yusuf's comments were "inappropriate and counter-productive".
Yusuf's attack on Ben Wallace
Last week, Mr Yusuf hit out at former defence secretary Ben Wallace after he criticised the party's plan to fix the shortage of prison spaces by sending foreign criminals abroad. Writing on X, Mr Yusuf said: "Incredible that this moron was defence secretary."
He added: "Our policy today is in direct response to your government's failures. If their home countries won't take back, their citizens that are languishing in our jails, we are renting spaces in countries like El Salvador to put them. They will serve their full jail terms there, and will be banned from ever coming back to Britain."
Mr Yusuf also referenced Afghan refugees, saying: "They may well include some of the thousands of Afghans you imported, including those who had not been vetted properly and including Taliban fighters (!). You know, the ones you took a super injunction out to keep secret from the British people? That's why I call you a traitor to Britain. You fit the dictionary definition."
Reaction and response
Mr Wallace hit back on X, writing: "Oh look a lesson from a man who never put a uniform on...just worked at bank. A man who is literally making policy and facts up."
Commenting on the spat, Mr Montgomerie – a leading political commentator who quit the Tories to join Reform – said Mr Yusuf's language "isn't acceptable". He said: "I don't agree with Ben Wallace on this issue but Zia's language and attitude towards any opponent is inappropriate and counter-productive."
A Labour source said: "Tim Montgomerie dared to say what we're all thinking - Nigel Farage should have declared his secret £5 million gift. If Farage had nothing to hide, why is he being so defensive? What a snowflake."
