Tim Montgomerie has vowed to fight his suspension from Reform UK after public criticism of the party and senior figures. The political commentator was suspended following repeated public criticism of Reform and its leadership.
Suspension after criticism of Yusuf and Farage
His suspension came days after he hit out at Zia Yusuf and accused him of behaving "like a child" after Yusuf sparked a row by attacking former Tory Defence Secretary Ben Wallace on social media. Mr Montgomerie, who founded the Conservative Home website but defected to Reform in 2024, also criticised Nigel Farage's "aggrieved tone" after winning the Clacton by-election.
Montgomerie vows to fight
Speaking to BBC Newsnight, Mr Montgomerie said: "I am going to fight this suspension. I want to stay in Reform. I didn't leave the Conservative Party lightly."
He added: "I think Reform can reach parts of the country that the Conservative Party never will be able to, so I'm going to fight my corner in Reform, and I'm going to make this a test case of whether it is a party that can tolerate free speech and dissent."
Criticism of Yusuf's behaviour
Mr Montgomerie's criticism of Zia Yusuf came after Reform's home affairs spokesman branded Mr Wallace as a "traitor" in comments that were slapped down by Mr Farage. Speaking on the Spectator's Coffee House podcast, he said: "There are a lot of people who are on no speaking terms with Zia, and it's nearly always Zia who initiates it, and it needs to end. You cannot behave like a child in politics."
He added that Mr Yusuf "has so many qualities" but said he needs to be a "team player".
Statement after suspension
In a statement on X after his suspension, Mr Montgomerie insisted he was trying to make Reform "better and stronger" with his public criticisms.
