Reform UK internal feud erupts over Zia Yusuf’s “traitor” attack on Ben Wallace

Reform UK’s home-affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf posted on X that former defence secretary Ben Wallace was a “moron” and a “traitor to Britain” for supporting the party’s pledge to deport foreign prisoners, including some Afghans, to nations such as El Salvador. Yusuf’s comments followed Wallace’s criticism of the policy. The outburst prompted party leader Nigel Farage to publicly reprimand Yusuf, calling the language “over the top” and promising a private discussion.

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Reform announced a proposal to send foreign nationals convicted in UK prisons back to their country of origin, or, if that is not possible, to third-country facilities such as those in El Salvador. Critics have questioned the feasibility of the plan and its potential impact on thousands of Afghan arrivals, some of whom were allegedly insufficiently vetted. Yusuf defended the policy as a response to perceived government failures on immigration and security.

The London Economic

Farage told The Sun that Yusuf’s remarks were “too strong a word” and that he would “give him a ticking off,” adding that the matter was “over the top.” Wallace, speaking on Times Radio, said he expects an apology from Yusuf for the personal attacks.

The Independent

• “One of the biggest question marks over Nigel Farage’s leadership is whether he brings Zia under control.” — Tim Montgomerie

The London Economic