Reform MP calls for burka ban
Reform UK’s chairman Zia Yusuf has been sidelined within the party and is no longer responsible for a number of his previous job commitments, it has been claimed. Sources have told the Express that Mr Yusuf has been “shunted” full-time to the party’s DOGE programme, aimed at rooting out waste in local government.
Aaron Lobo, a former GB News colleague of Mr Farage, has reportedly been promoted to a more senior operations brief and taken on many of Mr Yusuf’s responsibilities. The revelation comes amid a major row following a tweet by Mr Yusuf accusing new Reform MP Sarah Pochin of being “dumb” for demanding a ban on burqas. The teal-on-teal attack was published this morning to Mr Yusuf’s X account, in which he insisted he had not been responsible for the party issuing a statement saying a ban is not their policy.
He added: “I do think it’s dumb for a party to ask the PM if they would do something the party itself wouldn’t do.”
Mr Yusuf, a muslim, said he had been “busy with other stuff” when Ms Pochin asked her question, and alluded to his new less-prominent role in another post: “I’m busy with UK DOGE.”
The controversial Reform figure launched his DOGE project three days ago, beginning with Kent County Council where he has already identified some eyebrow-raising costly contracts agreed to by the previous administration.
He is working with entrepreneur Nathanial Fried to root out waste and save taxpayers' cash.
The Express understands that Aaron Lobo was promoted internally just over a fortnight ago, suggesting any reshuffle is unconnected with Mr Yusuf’s outburst this morning.
Don't miss: 'Starmer's contempt for Reform MP over burka ban more fitting than he knows'
Don't miss: Reform UK civil war erupts over burqa ban as new MP thrown under bus
Don't miss: Nigel Farage weighs in after Reform MP sparks national burqa ban debate
A second Reform source said Mr Yusuf’s social media swipe at Ms Pochin had been “rude” and confirmed they also understand that a demotion of responsibilities has occurred.
Mr Yusuf made a lot of enemies in March, when he played a central role in ousting Rupert Lowe as one of the party’s five MPs.
He claimed the Great Yarmouth MP made threats of physical violence towards Mr Yusuf, which also resulted in Mr Lowe’s gun collection being seized by Gloucestershire Police.
Last month the Crown Prosecution Service said it had made a decision not to press charges, after Reform passed on details of the claimed threats to the Met Police.
On March 15, a close ally of Nigel Farage’s said the party’s leader should consider sacking Mr Yusuf to end the ongoing infighting.
Raheem Kassam, who served as Mr Farage’s spin doctor and has close links to Donald Trump, said: “Farage isn’t a dictator. He’s one of the most reasonable people in politics. He’s moved aside when it made sense, and he’s returned when asked.”
“He’s also a meritocrat. If someone comes along who can run the party better than its current chairman, or if a deputy could help augment the work, he’d be all over it.”
A Reform UK spokesman denied Mr Yusuf had been sidelined, insisting that Mr Lobo is involved in “boring” operational details such as paying bills.
Related articles
- Top Tory takes on Reform and Labour in major economy speech
- Rachel Reeves loses huge net zero battle with Ed Miliband
- Portugal makes huge change to passport queue in win for British holidaymakers
- Sadiq Khan sparks speculation of coup against Keir Starmer
- I was in the room when Kemi's Badenoch's right-hand man took on Liz Truss