Full Breakdown
Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf Accused of Racism Over Tweet About Somali-Born Labour Candidate
9/6/2026, 10:48:05 PM
The Controversial Tweet
The post, viewed millions of times, prompted immediate rebuke from senior Reform figures and opposition parties.
Candidate Background
Sagal Abdi-Wali, a former child refugee from Somalia, has served as a Camden council councillor since 2022 and became council leader in May 2022. Labour sources describe her as a decade-long volunteer and trustee for local charities and a governor of two borough schools. She is widely tipped as Labour’s favourite to contest the Holborn and St Pancras by-election triggered by Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation as MP.
Government Officials Condemn the Post
Reynolds repeated the label “plain racism” when pressed.
Verbatim Quote
> “I don’t know this person, so I’m not here to cast aspersions upon her, but I do want people to sit in our Parliament who are entirely committed to our country,” — Robert Jenrick
Reform Party’s Defense
Economic spokesman Robert Jenrick rejected the racism label, arguing that questioning the loyalties of foreign-born candidates is legitimate.
Political Implications
Labour is expected to announce its Holborn and St Pancras candidate by Wednesday, facing a contest with the Green Party, which is likely to field leader Zack Polanski. The controversy highlights intra-party tensions over immigration, national identity and candidate selection ahead of the by-election.
