Nadhim Zahawi, the former Conservative chancellor who has defected to Reform UK, is facing scrutiny over past comments attacking his new party leader, Nigel Farage. In a 2015 tweet, Zahawi wrote: “I’m not British Born Mr @Nigel_Farage I am as British as u r. Yr comments r offensive&racist. I wld be frightened 2live in country run by U.” The tweet was deleted on Monday as he announced his defection.
The tweet was a response to a broadcast interview in which Farage said he opposed laws banning employment discrimination on racial grounds. Farage later claimed he had been “wilfully misrepresented”. Zahawi also wrote an article for Conservative Home in March 2015, stating: “What’s frightening is that in Farage’s Britain people like me could be lawfully discriminated against and British businesses would be encouraged to bin our CVs.”
Zahawi had previously declared his loyalty to the Conservatives. In September 2014, he tweeted: “no chance. Been a Conservative all my life and will die a Conservative,” tagging Farage and UKIP. He also criticised Farage’s political record, tweeting: “Farage has run for political office SIX times and been an MEP for FIFTEEN yrs – he’s as establishment as they come #leadersdebate.”
Farage has also made critical remarks about Zahawi. In July 2022, after Zahawi was appointed chancellor, Farage told GB News: “I thought Zahawi had principles, but tonight we learned all he’s interested in is climbing that greasy pole.” After Zahawi was sacked as Tory party chair in 2023 over a tax scandal, Farage posted a video saying: “I don’t think farce can even sum it up … it doesn’t say much about Zahawi’s affairs.”
