Reform UK: officials, incidents and party record

Reform UK, also known as the Reform Party, is a right-wing populist and far-right political party in the United Kingdom, founded by Nigel Farage and Catherine Blaiklock on 23 November 2018 as the Brex

Leader: Nigel Farage

Founded: 2018

Headquarters: Millbank Tower, 21–24 Millbank, London SW1P 4QP

Ideology: Right-wing populism, Hard Euroscepticism

Position: Right-wing to far-right

Membership: 268,000 (December 2025)

Website: https://www.reformparty.uk/

Reform UK, also known as the Reform Party, is a right-wing populist and far-right political party in the United Kingdom, founded by Nigel Farage and Catherine Blaiklock on 23 November 2018 as the Brexit Party and renamed Reform UK in January 2021. Nigel Farage has been leader since June 2024, with Richard Tice as Deputy Leader and Lee Anderson as Chairman. Positioned to the right of the Conservative Party, it advocates right-wing populism and hard Euroscepticism under the slogan "Britain is broken. Britain needs Reform." The party has eight MPs in the House of Commons, seventeen members of the Scottish Parliament, thirty-four members of the Senedd, two members of the London Assembly, two directly elected mayors and two police and crime commissioners, and around 2,330 local councillors, controlling thirty-five councils. Its membership stood at 268,000 in December 2025, and it is governed by the Reform UK Board from its headquarters at Millbank Tower in London.

Reform UK policy documents

Tracked Reform UK representatives (2173)

Recorded party incidents (showing 1-50 of 289)

Zia Yusuf accuses Andy Burnham of inciting disorder

Category: xenophobia

Zia Yusuf, Reform's home affairs spokesperson, told LBC that Prime Minister Andy Burnham was directly inciting disorder in British coastal communities. He said migrants arriving in Portsmouth were unvetted and asserted they were from nationalities more likely to commit sex crimes. His remarks were made while discussing anti-migrant protests in Portsmouth, where police launched an investigation after officers were injured and several vehicles were damaged. A government spokesperson condemned the intimidating and thuggish behaviour at the protest and thanked emergency services; Yusuf also set out Reform proposals to use the Royal Marines to prevent small-boat landings and to detain and deport unauthorised arrivals.

James Orr filmed plotting to channel US donations to Reform UK

Category: corruption

James Orr, Reform UK’s head of policy, was filmed in an undercover sting telling reporters posing as wealthy American donors that the party could circumvent strict UK laws on foreign political donations, saying the reality was they could "easily get away with it". The footage showed Orr and senior aide Dan Jukes discussing routing American cash through a British citizen to avoid legal scrutiny and referenced polling paid for by the purported donors. The footage also includes Nigel Farage thanking the purported donors and referring to the polling as "bang for your buck". The Electoral Commission and police are investigating the alleged scheme. Both Orr and Jukes were removed from their positions by the party, and Farage said the row "looks bad".

Zia Yusuf defends masked anti-migrant protesters

Category: social media conduct

Zia Yusuf, Reform UK's home affairs spokesperson, defended balaclava‑wearing protesters who blocked small boat arrivals in Dover and obstructed coaches in Portsmouth, making comments on X and during a visit to Portsmouth. He met protest organiser Daniel Thomas, said he would take the protesters' messages back to party leader Nigel Farage, and relayed claims the protesters had been instructed not to take drugs, drink, shout or carry out acts of violence. The statements followed a public condemnation of the masked protesters by Nigel Farage, who called for a ban on full‑face coverings, and were contrasted with comments from Reform's Treasury spokesperson Robert Jenrick urging police to arrest people who block everyday life. The exchange intensified internal tensions within Reform; no disciplinary action against Yusuf was announced and he continues as the party's home affairs spokesperson.

Zia Yusuf described migrants as invaders and accused the state of state-sponsored thuggery

Category: xenophobia

Zia Yusuf, Reform UK spokesperson for home affairs, gave an interview in Portsmouth in which he described migrants escorted by police as invaders and accused the state of state-sponsored thuggery. He urged the Prime Minister and Home Secretary to stop what he called an invasion and advocated use of Reform UK's proposed Operation Fortress, saying the navy and marines should intercept vessels and the military should be deployed. Yusuf also cited Ministry of Justice data about offending rates among men from countries such as Afghanistan while arguing for tougher measures. The comments followed the arrival of around 140 migrants in Portsmouth that was publicly highlighted by Councillor George Madgwick, who said the subsequent protests were justified while urging respect for emergency services. The Operation Fortress policy Yusuf referenced was recently unveiled by Nigel Farage, and Yusuf continued to promote the policy and the party's hardline approach to small boat crossings in his role as Reform UK spokesperson.

Nigel Farage warns country is on edge of serious civil disturbance and condemns masked protesters

Category: inflammatory language

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, said the country was on the edge of serious civil disturbance and described the situation as a national security emergency, while condemning protesters who wore masks and paramilitary-style clothing during anti-migrant demonstrations in Dover and Portsmouth. He also said both governments had failed and argued that voting was the only solution to the issue. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said an investigation is ongoing to identify offenders responsible for assaults and other criminal offences during the Portsmouth protest, and Downing Street condemned the disorder while emphasising the right to peaceful protest. Daniel Thomas, who led large crowds at the Portsmouth demonstration and is described as an associate of Tommy Robinson, and Mike Tapp, the Labour MP for Dover and Deal who criticised the masked protesters, were publicly linked to the weekend events.

Dan Jukes suspended after undercover sting over foreign donations

Category: financial conduct concern

Dan Jukes, a senior Reform aide and long-time media spokesperson, was filmed in an undercover investigation appearing to plot ways to channel foreign donations to the party, including suggesting routing American cash through a British citizen. The footage also showed polling costing £30,000 commissioned by Reform and paid for by a reporter posing as a wealthy US donor, with the party’s role in producing the polling not disclosed publicly. The revelations prompted referral of the matter to the police and the Electoral Commission and have been described as potentially unlawful under UK rules on party donations. Jukes was suspended and removed from his role by the party as the investigation continued; James Orr, who appeared in the same footage, was also removed and Nigel Farage appears in the recordings and has commented publicly on the row.

Robert Jenrick tells assaulted protester to 'get a life'

Category: inflammatory language

Robert Jenrick, Reform UK’s treasury spokesperson and an MP, said on Sky News that a protester who had been physically attacked after disrupting Nigel Farage’s keynote speech should "get a life" and dismissed the incident as a consequence of trying to disrupt a party conference. He interrupted the presenter during discussion of footage showing at least one female protester having her hair pulled and her head grabbed by attendees. Footage from the conference showed the protester being physically attacked, and West Midlands Police said they were aware of a video and asked the woman involved to come forward so enquiries could be carried out. Jenrick remains Reform UK’s treasury spokesperson and no party disciplinary action is reported in relation to his comments; the police statement noted no complaint had yet been received.

Robert Jenrick dismisses protester dragged by her hair at Reform conference

Category: inflammatory language

Robert Jenrick dismissed a female protester who had been dragged by her hair at Reform UK's party conference in Birmingham, describing her as a far-left protester and minimising her complaint about being struck with a crutch. He characterised her actions as an attempt to wreck the leader's speech and told a broadcaster she should get a life, framing the incident as theatrics rather than a safety concern. West Midlands police said they were aware of footage of the incident and asked the woman involved to come forward. Jenrick remains Reform's treasury spokesperson and an MP; There is no report any formal disciplinary action against him in relation to his remarks about the protester.

Nigel Farage mocked protesters as audience members pulled hair and struck a heckler

Category: intimidation bullying

Nigel Farage dismissed and mocked protesters who disrupted his keynote speech at the Reform UK conference at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham while a protester was removed from the hall. Footage from the event shows audience members pulling the woman's hair, grabbing her head and an attendee hitting her with a walking stick during the disruption. West Midlands Police said they had not received a direct complaint but asked the woman involved to come forward so officers could carry out enquiries. Reform UK home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf condemned members who pulled the protester's hair, while party chairman Lee Anderson suggested collecting money for the man seen using a walking stick; Nadine Dorries said protesters should not expect gentle treatment. The activist group involved said the protester was considering whether to contact police and the force is seeking further information.

Lee Anderson describes House of Lords as the most expensive care home in Europe

Category: inflammatory language

Lee Anderson (mp, East Midlands) said in broadcast comments that Reform was being shunned by Labour and that the uniparty system was trying to block the party. He described the House of Lords as the most expensive care home in Europe. He presented the remarks as evidence that Reform is denied a fair hearing by establishment forces, contributing to a grievance narrative. Lee Anderson remains MP for East Midlands.

Nigel Farage compares parliamentary standards inquiry to investigations of Donald Trump

Category: inflammatory language

Nigel Farage compared the parliamentary standards inquiry into his failure to register a £5 million gift to the investigations faced by Donald Trump during a BBC interview ahead of Reform UK’s conference. He dismissed the inquiry as unlikely to be fair, alleged a coordinated establishment effort to portray Reform UK members as crooks and suggested any sanction from the standards commissioner would be unjust. Farage is under scrutiny for failing to declare a £5 million gift from donor Christopher Harborne and for further financial support from George Cottrell; the £5 million gift is the subject of an inquiry by the parliamentary standards commissioner. He maintained the gifts were accepted in a personal capacity, said his family had been targeted with threats and experienced debanking, said he expects to be interviewed by the commissioner and said he will remain Reform UK leader at the next election.

Zia Yusuf highlighted the Somali birthplace of a Labour by-election contender

Category: xenophobia

Zia Yusuf, Reform UK's spokesperson for home affairs, posted on X that the front runner "being foisted on the people of Holborn by Labour to replace the former Prime Minister Keir Starmer in our Parliament was born in Somalia", adding "Do you understand what's happening?" The post referred to Sagal Abdi-Wali, a Labour councillor and council leader in Camden seeking the party's nomination for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election. Yusuf followed it with a further post repeating the reference to her country of birth. Abdi-Wali came to the UK as a child and has served as an elected councillor in Camden. Labour figures and other commentators said the posts were racist because they treated a candidate's country of birth as disqualifying. Yusuf did not withdraw or amend the posts, which remained online, and Reform UK took no disciplinary action.

Sources: https://x.com/ZiaYusufUK/status/2095196271522808267 https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/zia-yusuf-accused-of-racism-over-attack-on-labour-council-leader_uk_6a990a8fe4b0e51a2d9155fb https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/sep/06/zia-yusuf-reform-uk-post-camden-council-leader-sagal-abdi-wali https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/zia-yusuf-reform-piers-morgan-37624254 https://www.ft.com/content/d5b33ff5-9aad-4b9a-a7bc-3eff956e7f15

Lee Anderson backs referendum on reinstating the death penalty

Category: inflammatory language

Lee Anderson said Britain should hold a referendum on reinstating the death penalty and that he believed voters would support bringing back capital punishment. He presented the proposal as a response to what he described as Parliament being out of touch and acknowledged the issue would be very divisive. Reform leader Nigel Farage disagreed, saying he opposed the death penalty on grounds including the risk of wrongful executions. There has been no reported party sanction and Anderson remains a Reform UK MP; legal barriers such as the European Convention on Human Rights would also prevent immediate reintroduction of capital punishment in the UK.

Robert Jenrick accuses Kemi Badenoch of inventing quotes

Category: inflammatory language

Robert Jenrick (mp, East Midlands) attacked Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch at a Reform UK press conference, accusing her of inventing what Giorgia Meloni had said and advising her not to invent quotes from foreign leaders. He described the episode as embarrassing for Badenoch and warned that visiting a foreign leader did not justify making up remarks attributed to them. The remarks came amid controversy over Badenoch’s account of a private meeting with Meloni and an amended newspaper article about that meeting; Badenoch had posted a selfie praising Meloni on social media. A Conservative spokesperson said the party had not made false claims and accused Reform of peddling conspiracy theories; Jenrick is recorded as a Reform MP and has not faced a formal sanction over the comment.

Richard Tice backs prioritising married parents and British-born children for social housing

Category: xenophobia

Richard Tice (mp, East Midlands) said in a Times Radio interview and at a press conference that it would be surely preferable for children to have married parents and that having British-born children should be encouraged, while defending his party’s proposals to prioritise married couples aged under 35 with children, veterans and workers for social housing. He said married British couples would be given preference under the party’s proposed social housing rules. Homelessness charity Shelter said the plans could leave families trapped in temporary accommodation and put people fleeing domestic abuse at risk, and a Labour spokesperson criticised the proposal. The comments form part of Reform’s wider policy to move foreign nationals down the social housing list and follow a previous pledge by the party to remove foreign nationals from social housing; Mr Tice has defended the policy as party policy and remains deputy leader of Reform UK.

Lee Anderson called for eviction of social tenants over untidy gardens

Category: xenophobia

Lee Anderson (mp, East Midlands) said social housing tenants should be required to keep their homes and gardens maintained or face eviction, speaking at a Reform UK press conference in London. He recalled earlier council-housing rules requiring inspections and said tenants would previously be given warnings before being removed if they did not meet minimum standards. The comments formed part of Reform UK’s wider social housing proposals, which included giving priority to young British workers, veterans and married couples and which the party says would include evicting foreign nationals from social homes; Richard Tice, the party’s deputy leader, set out plans for building affordable homes at the event. Housing charity Shelter said strict allocation rules would cause more homelessness and its chief executive Sarah Elliot criticised the policies; Lee Anderson remains chairman of Reform UK and no party disciplinary action is reported in relation to these remarks.

Nigel Farage threatens to cut aid and ban visas for Pakistani nationals

Category: xenophobia

Nigel Farage criticised Pakistan for refusing to accept the return of convicted grooming gang ringleader Shabir Ahmed and said that, if he were prime minister, he would cut foreign aid to Pakistan and ban new visas for Pakistani nationals unless Pakistan agreed to take the individual back. He framed the measures as conditional on Pakistan's response to the deportation dispute. The comments targeted an entire nationality in the context of a criminal deportation dispute and were presented as an ultimatum tied to government policy on aid and visas. There is no recorded official consequence in the source material provided and no party response is noted in the source.

Zia Yusuf criticised plans to house 1,250 asylum seekers in Piddington

Category: xenophobia

Zia Yusuf criticised plans to house 1,250 asylum seekers in Piddington, saying residents were terrified and accusing the government of dumping unvetted men into the village. He said the arrival would transform the local community and its children. The comments employed fear-based language about asylum seekers and the host community. No party disciplinary action or official response was reported.

Danny Kruger calls to remove voting rights for Commonwealth citizens

Category: xenophobia

Danny Kruger, Reform UK MP for South West, said Commonwealth citizens represented a significant threat to democracy and argued that millions who were not attached to the country should not have the right to vote. He said Reform would make it illegal to issue election material in foreign languages, restrict postal voting to members of the armed forces and those unable to vote in person, and endorse banning so-called family voting. The remarks formed part of Reform UK's policy proposals to restrict voting eligibility and regulate election communications. Kruger presented these proposals publicly and remains the party's MP for South West. If enacted, the measures he proposed would remove voting rights from many Commonwealth citizens and limit access to electoral materials in other languages.

Nigel Farage frames investigation into undisclosed £5m donation as people versus the establishment

Category: financial conduct concern

Nigel Farage characterised an investigation into an undisclosed £5m donation he received as a people versus the establishment by-election in Clacton. He presented the contest as an opportunity to oppose the political establishment rather than focusing on the regulatory scrutiny of the donation. The statement followed the opening of an investigation into the £5m gift. Farage framed the matter in political terms, saying the by-election offered a chance to challenge the establishment; the status and outcome of the investigation are not stated.

Nigel Farage proposes bill to remove Commonwealth voting rights and restrict election languages

Category: xenophobia

Nigel Farage published an "Election Integrity Bill" through Reform UK that proposed removing the historic right to vote for Commonwealth citizens, requiring election material to be published only in languages native to the British Isles, and introducing polling-station checks on voters' English ability. The package also included limits on postal voting and measures described by the party as protections against so-called "family voting." Danny Kruger, head of Reform UK's Department for Preparing for Government, defended the proposals as necessary to protect the electoral system. Critics said the measures would exclude many lawful residents and non-English speakers from participating in UK elections and make it harder for migrant communities to access voting; Reform UK sought to have the measures taken as amendments to government legislation but they were unlikely to be adopted.

Danny Kruger says holidaymakers would disenfranchise themselves under postal voting plans

Category: discriminatory remark

Danny Kruger, the Reform MP for East Wiltshire, said people who go on holiday during an election would be disenfranchising themselves under Reform UK proposals to curb postal voting and that voters would be required to vote in person unless they were unable to do so. He made the remarks during an interview in which he set out the party's approach to limiting postal votes to those judged unable to vote in person. The comments were made alongside wider Reform proposals to remove the right of qualifying Commonwealth citizens to vote in UK elections and to ban campaign material in foreign languages. Labour criticised the party for apparent hypocrisy, saying Nigel Farage had voted by post at the 2024 general election, and the Liberal Democrats' Cabinet Office spokeswoman Lisa Smart described the remarks as out of touch.

Lee Anderson claims Meloni–Badenoch story was suppressed

Category: factual inaccuracy

Lee Anderson, the MP for the East Midlands, wrote to a national newspaper alleging that a story about Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni and Kemi Badenoch had been deliberately suppressed and had disappeared, suggesting media censorship. He repeated the suggestion in public commentary. The allegation followed an earlier retraction of an original claim that Meloni had advised Badenoch against a deal with Reform. There was no public evidence presented to support Anderson's assertion of deliberate suppression, and the matter did not result in any reported party disciplinary action.

Richard Tice says foreign nationals should be placed at back of social housing queue

Category: xenophobia

Richard Tice (mp, East Midlands) said in an interview on GB News that Reform would introduce a "suitability test" to prioritise young British workers, young married couples and veterans for social housing and that foreign nationals should be removed from the social housing queue. He said the change would place British-born workers and veterans at the top of the queue rather than relying solely on a needs-based test. He defended the proposal as a question of fairness, saying local taxpayers should not be expected to house people who do not work and pay their way, and said changes would be required to the Human Rights Act and the Equality Act to implement it. He presented the measure as part of Reform's housing platform and said details of funding and implementation would be announced at a Reform press conference.

Rick Baker denies being pictured with Tommy Robinson

Category: factual inaccuracy

Rick Baker, leader of the Reform group on Northumberland County Council, denied being pictured with far‑right activist Tommy Robinson at the Unite the Kingdom rally. He said he could not have been present because he had been driving a bus at the time. An account on X posted photographs and cited material from Baker’s son’s podcast that it said placed Baker at the rally, contradicting his denial. Reform UK says it has no links to Robinson; the photographs were shared publicly on social media and no formal disciplinary action has been reported, and Baker remains leader of the Reform group on Northumberland County Council.

Richard Tice posts misleading claims about ONS winter deaths data

Category: social media conduct

Richard Tice (mp, East Midlands) posted on X that the Office for National Statistics had stopped publishing data on winter excess deaths because the results did not suit Net Zero dogma. He amplified a post by Kathryn Porter, who describes herself as an independent energy consultant. The post presented a change in official reporting as suppression of evidence rather than a methodological change. The ONS discontinued an older methodology after review, and the UK Health Security Agency now publishes cold mortality statistics alongside heat mortality statistics, so the assertion that data were being withheld for Net Zero reasons was misleading. Tice is deputy leader of Reform UK and there is no record in the available source of any retraction or disciplinary action arising from the post.

Nigel Farage event organisers investigated over alleged unlicensed celebration

Category: other

Nigel Farage's victory celebration in Tendring was held as an invite-only event organised by Reform UK. Tendring District Council opened an investigation after organisers were refused a Late Temporary Event Notice because the application was submitted too late. Reform UK said the gathering was a private, invite-only event that did not require a licence and that it had applied for a licence on a precautionary basis. Tendring District Council is investigating whether the organisers breached licensing law; if found to have done so the organisers could face fines or custodial sentences. Nigel Farage did not attend the election count.

Suella Braverman questioned James Cleverly over asylum centre closure

Category: factual inaccuracy

Suella Braverman (mp, South East), a Reform UK MP and former Home Secretary, publicly questioned why James Cleverly did not close an asylum accommodation centre in his constituency while he served as Home Secretary. She singled out Cleverly, a Conservative MP and former Home Secretary, in her criticism. Critics pointed out Braverman had served as Home Secretary before Cleverly and therefore could have taken action to close the centre, highlighting an apparent inconsistency in her criticism. The exchange drew attention in discussions about Reform UK's recruitment of former Conservative ministers and the party's attacks on the previous government.

Lee Anderson defends prioritising British-born people for social housing

Category: xenophobia

Lee Anderson (mp, East Midlands) defended a Reform UK policy to prioritise British-born people for social housing in public remarks. He said council housing should be a privilege and that British-born workers under 35 should be placed ahead of foreign nationals and asylum seekers in housing allocation. The remarks were presented as putting British people first and Anderson said the party would make no apology for the policy. Critics warned the plan risked harming vulnerable families and escalating division; there is no record in the source of any party disciplinary action or formal challenge to his comments.

Suella Braverman denies being on resignation watch

Category: social media conduct

Suella Braverman denied claims that she was on "resignation watch", posting that the reporting about her was categorically wrong and that she had not been contacted before publication. The claim had been advanced by journalist Harry Cole, who said Reform insiders suggested she was unhappy and being closely watched by the party. Braverman said she was setting the record straight and rejected the suggestion she was preparing to quit, accusing the journalist of failing to check with her. Her denial leaves her position unchanged and there has been no public resignation; the claim remains unverified.

Nadhim Zahawi praises Trump and allies on Iran strategy

Category: social media conduct

Nadhim Zahawi posted on X praising Donald Trump’s approach to the war with Iran, saying the combination of Trump, Marco Rubio and Scott Bessent constituted a highly effective foreign-policy team and sharing analysis he described as showing the strategy was working to force concessions from Tehran. He reposted a thread of commentary and analysis about Iran and the regional conflict on his account. The post drew replies and debate on social media. The tweet remains visible on Zahawi’s X account and there is no public record of any formal disciplinary action by Reform UK in response.

Councillor Jason Townend arrested after pub brawl

Category: inappropriate behaviour

Jason Townend was arrested by police after a fight involving several men and women at a pub on Manchester Road in Bradford, during which a woman in her 40s sustained facial injuries. West Yorkshire Police attended the scene and arrested other individuals in connection with the incident while enquiries continued. Townend is a councillor for the Wibsey and Odsal ward on Bradford Council. A Reform UK Bradford spokesperson said Townend was subsequently released without charges, but police investigations are ongoing and he remains on police bail.

Richard Tice defends suspension of senior activist

Category: other

Richard Tice defended the suspension of senior activist Tim Montgomerie from Reform UK after Montgomerie criticised Nigel Farage’s decision not to attend his victory count. Tice made the remarks at a press conference in Enfield, north London, where he was unveiling the party’s apprenticeships policy and said internal disagreements should be kept behind closed doors. Montgomerie, a high-profile activist who had defected from the Conservatives and previously posed with Farage, was informed earlier this week of his suspension. Tice, who is deputy leader and the party’s business spokesperson, said Reform UK was not too thin-skinned to take criticism and defended the party’s approach; the decision came amid wider splits in the party over comments by home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf.

Richard Tice dismisses many degrees as worthless and suggests apprenticeships in dodgy crypto and money laundering

Category: inflammatory language

Richard Tice, Reform UK co-leader, spoke at a press conference in Enfield and dismissed many university degrees as worthless, saying around 80% of students had underperformed or wasted their time. He criticised modern languages and history, said learning to think critically was overrated, and suggested apprenticeships in areas he described as dodgy crypto deals, money laundering and offshore accounts. Suella Braverman spoke alongside Tice and set out plans to restrict non-vocational degrees and promote apprenticeships as an alternative to higher education. Broadcasters pointed out that student loans are counted on the government balance sheet; there is no record in this source of a correction, apology or disciplinary action by Reform UK in response to Tice's remarks.

Tim Montgomerie suspended after publicly criticising senior Reform UK figures

Category: inappropriate behaviour

Tim Montgomerie publicly criticised senior Reform UK figures in media interviews and on a podcast, expressing frustration with Nigel Farage's tone and saying senior party figure Zia Yusuf needed to be more of a team player. Reform UK suspended his party membership under its rules for public criticism. Montgomerie said he would appeal the suspension and intended the case to test whether the party tolerates free speech and dissent. The party said the suspension was implemented in line with its rules. Montgomerie, who defected from the Conservatives and described himself as a critical friend of the leadership, said he wanted to remain in Reform UK and would fight to retain his membership.

Richard Tice told people to 'enjoy' extreme heat at a press conference

Category: inflammatory language

Richard Tice, Reform UK deputy leader and MP for East Midlands, told a press conference that people should "enjoy" this summer's extreme heat and said that warmer conditions could improve English wine. He framed the remarks as a rebuttal to what he described as doom and gloom about the weather. Bridget Phillipson, Labour party chair, said he should apologise to firefighters who had been battling wildfires that forced evacuations and destroyed homes. Reform did not respond to a request for comment and Labour released video material juxtaposing his words with footage of wildfire damage to highlight the remarks and call for an apology.

Zia Yusuf criticised over social media conduct and alleged role in Montgomerie suspension

Category: social media conduct

Zia Yusuf posted confrontational messages on X/Twitter, including a post describing himself as a "lethal electoral threat", and his behaviour on the platform was described as a public meltdown. Tim Montgomerie was suspended from Reform UK after criticising Yusuf, and there was speculation within and beyond the party that Nigel Farage had not been informed of the suspension. The sequence of events prompted debate on social media about Yusuf's conduct and influence within the party. Tim Montgomerie issued a personal statement about his suspension and questioned Yusuf's suitability for senior roles. Yusuf is identified as Reform UK's Home Affairs spokesperson. The episode has intensified internal divisions within the party and drawn public attention to its internal discipline and communications.

Danny Kruger says European countries could reasonably deny British expatriates benefits

Category: discriminatory remark

Danny Kruger told BBC Breakfast that it would be reasonable for European countries to deny British expatriates access to benefits if Reform UK blocked foreign nationals from claiming support in Britain. He said welfare should be paid by the country of citizenship and that Reform planned a budget to ensure British nationals would be entitled to British benefits, and he said people with mild mental health conditions should not be consigned to live isolated at home. The comments were made as Reform UK set out a policy to ban most foreign nationals in the UK from claiming benefits, a measure the party says would save £21bn a year by its fifth year. There has been no reported disciplinary action or resignation linked to Kruger’s remarks and he remains a Reform UK MP.

Robert Jenrick backs Reform UK welfare plan proposing ban on non‑UK citizens claiming benefits

Category: xenophobia

Robert Jenrick co-wrote a foreword for Reform UK's published welfare plan alongside party leader Nigel Farage, endorsing proposals to tighten eligibility for disability payments, bar non-UK citizens from claiming benefits and introduce compulsory unpaid community work for some long-term unemployed claimants. The proposals include replacing PIP and part of universal credit with a single flat-rate health allowance, tightening PIP eligibility so an estimated 2.9 million people could lose cash payments, and reintroducing the two-child benefit limit. Campaigners and disability charities warned the package would push hundreds of thousands of children into poverty and cause increased hardship, and an internal analysis showed some claimants could lose up to £10,000 a year. Jenrick said the most vulnerable needs would be protected and that disabled people could claim for genuine extra costs, though the party did not specify how such payments would be calculated; the plans remain those published by Reform UK and the party projects large savings and increased employment.

Nigel Farage claimed a 'specific, credible' threat, police said none

Category: factual inaccuracy

Nigel Farage said he could not attend the Clacton by-election count because of a "specific, credible threat" to his safety. Essex Police said no such warning was given and said the concern was traced to heated social media posts rather than a targeted plot. Farage won the Clacton by-election and returned to Parliament; his decision to avoid the count was criticised after the police statement. He also blamed migrants for local housing shortages, a claim questioned alongside reporting that Clacton has a comparatively low migrant population.

Nigel Farage's party blames mass immigration for hosepipe bans

Category: xenophobia

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK blamed mass immigration for hosepipe bans and drought conditions in England and Wales, saying the Tories had "imported 12 million people over fourteen years" and that population growth placed huge strain on infrastructure. The party published a policy paper proposing to scrap targets to reduce public water use, lower the threshold for reservoir projects to be treated as nationally significant, and build more reservoirs to avoid hosepipe bans. Deputy leader Richard Tice has previously rejected the role of human activity in climate change and Reform has pledged to scrap UK climate targets and increase fossil fuel use if it enters government. The party framed infrastructure strain from immigration as the cause of water shortages rather than citing water management, investment or climate impacts, and set out policy changes consistent with that position; the claim and the climate stance have attracted public scrutiny given the scientific consensus on human-driven warming.

Laila Cunningham defends Nigel Farage’s undisclosed £5m gift

Category: undisclosed interest

Laila Cunningham, a Reform UK councillor, defended Nigel Farage’s undisclosed £5m gift during appearances on LBC and later on her own slot on the same station. She said it was not the public’s business how he spent his money, suggested the payment could have been for security and told listeners they should not interrogate him over the sum, while admitting she did not know whether the money had been spent on security. Nigel Farage has contradicted the security explanation. Critics have raised concerns about his failure to declare the payment as a registrable parliamentary benefit after becoming an MP and about a possible transactional relationship linked to promoting crypto. There is no public record here of any disciplinary action against Cunningham in relation to her defence of Farage.

Nadhim Zahawi made incorrect claims about Count Binface on Good Morning Britain

Category: factual inaccuracy

Nadhim Zahawi claimed on Good Morning Britain that Count Binface had received £180,000 from donor Dale Vince and had recruited Conservative and Labour activists to canvass for him in Clacton. Good Morning Britain later issued an on-air clarification that the payment had not been accepted and that Binface had not asked activists from other parties to campaign for him. The broadcaster's clarification therefore shows Zahawi's statements on air were incorrect. Zahawi is a Reform UK MP; there is no on-air retraction recorded from him in the material cited, and the clarification corrected the public record on the broadcast.

Zia Yusuf rebuked by Nigel Farage after calling Ben Wallace a 'traitor'

Category: inflammatory language

On 16 August 2026 Zia Yusuf, Reform UK home affairs spokesman, described former Conservative defence secretary Ben Wallace as a "traitor to Britain" on social media. The comment prompted public criticism and reports that party leader Nigel Farage might discipline or dismiss Yusuf; Farage said the language was "too strong" and that he would "give him a ticking off". The remarks followed recent comments from Yusuf and Reform suggesting hostile rhetoric against them could put members at risk. A source said Yusuf's "days are numbered", but Yusuf denied he would be removed and said he was not going anywhere; Farage said he would speak to Yusuf but no formal disciplinary action had been announced.

Sources: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nigel-farage-reform-zia-yusuf-traitor-ben-wallace-row-b3031060.html https://spectator.com/article/zia-yusuf-has-become-a-liability-for-reform/

Richard Tice repeats 'credible threat' claim and backs Farage's security

Category: inflammatory language

On 14 August 2026, speaking to LBC, Boston and Skegness MP Richard Tice repeated that Nigel Farage had faced a "credible threat" at the Clacton by-election count on 13 August and said he trusted Farage's security team more than Essex Police. His comments came in interviews the morning after Farage's victory in the Clacton by-election. Essex Police denied making any such warning to any candidate, and the remarks formed part of a wider dispute between Reform figures and the force. Lee Anderson made similar comments to the BBC, and the episode came as the Parliamentary Standards inquiry into an undeclared £5m gift related to Farage was reopened, contributing to tensions within the party.

Nigel Farage refused to share a platform with other candidates at Clacton count

Category: social media conduct

Nigel Farage posted a video from his campaign team at the Clacton by-election count in which he said he would not share a platform with the 33 other candidates and referred to them as "nobodies". he declined to attend hustings and largely kept his distance from other candidates during the contest. The remark drew criticism from opponents and some local voters who said he had not engaged with constituents. It came amid reporting and investigations into his receipt of an undeclared £5m donation, and critics said the by-election he triggered wasted about £250,000 of public money.

Richard Tice defends unlicensed Farage Fest rally

Category: inappropriate behaviour

Richard Tice defended a victory rally for Nigel Farage held at Great Oakley airfield in Tendring, Essex, which did not have a Late Temporary Event Notice. He described the gathering as a private celebration and dismissed criticism while hundreds attended and the site featured live music, alcohol and a Ferris wheel. Tendring District Council had refused to grant a Late Temporary Event Notice because the application was not made in time and said it is investigating whether the event was unlawful. Reform has said no rules were broken and that a licence was applied for on a precautionary basis; the council said that if it decides to prosecute the organiser could face a fine or a custodial sentence and it will announce next steps in due course.

David Rowan suspended over alleged social media call to hang John Bercow

Category: hate speech

On 13 August 2026, Reform UK councillor David Rowan, who served on Kirklees Council, was suspended after Hope Not Hate identified posts from 2019 on X in which he allegedly wrote "Hang the Dwarf" in response to a post about former Commons Speaker John Bercow. Hope Not Hate also highlighted other posts attributed to the account in which Rowan is said to have written that gays "shouldn’t have kids full stop" and called for followers to "get our pick forks and whippets and demolish London." A Reform UK spokesman said Cllr Rowan had been suspended pending investigation, and he was contacted for comment. The disclosures were published amid wider concern about the safety of politicians following recent murders, a point Hope Not Hate emphasised when releasing its research; the suspension remains in place while the party investigates.

Sources: https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/26465021.reform-councillor-suspended-post-calling-speakers-hanging/

George Finch defends 'boot on neck' remark after bullying complaints

Category: intimidation bullying

On 13 August 2026 George Finch, leader of Warwickshire county council and a Reform UK politician, defended a January remark that he had to "lay down a little bit of a boot on neck-type thing" to control council officers. He made the comments during an interview and dismissed claims of bullying as "lies", after Green and other councillors said council officers were "scared" under the administration. Finch has faced three code of conduct investigations, a no-confidence motion which he survived by one vote, and two solicitor-led probes that initially found breaches before council subcommittees cleared him. Labour MP Rachel Taylor challenged his claim about library complaints and the council chief executive Monica Fogarty lodged a formal complaint after Finch asked for a Progress Pride flag to be removed; Finch denies wrongdoing and remains leader of Warwickshire council and was also elected leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth borough council.

Zia Yusuf threatens Vodafone directors with jail over migrant SIM cards

Category: intimidation bullying

On 13 August 2026 Zia Yusuf, Reform UK’s home affairs spokesman, posted on X and sent a letter to Vodafone’s board warning that executives who supply SIM cards to migrants would be made "personally and criminally liable" and could face prison. He targeted Vodafone over its supply of 2,221 SIM cards to the charity Care4Calais, accusing the company of assisting illegal migrants into the UK. Yusuf described Care4Calais as "not a charity" and a "facilitator of illegal migration" and demanded Vodafone stop supplying SIMs to the group. He said a future Reform government would pass a "Polanski Law" to criminalise acts that assist illegal entry, punishable by two years' imprisonment, and vowed to hold "each every officer and director" personally and criminally liable.

Sources: https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/exclusive-vodafone-zia-yusuf-sim-cards-migrants_uk_6a7dc391e4b08accea25a063 https://www.cityam.com/vodafone-defends-migrant-sim-scheme-after-reform-threat/ https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/2238832/zia-yusuf-blasts-vodafone-ceo