Zahawi 'begged for peerage before defecting to Reform

Controversial former Tory chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has defected to Reform UK after apparently unsuccessfully “begging” to be nominated for a peerage.

- DAVID MADDOX ATHENA STAVROU

The former ally of Boris Johnson has become the highest-profile politician yet to ditch the Conservatives for Nigel Farage’s party – but question marks are being raised about the motivations of a man who was sacked as a minister for breaching the ministerial code in relation to his tax affairs.

In a video message announcing his defection, the former MP, who served in various ministerial positions under Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, claimed that Britain is “drinking at the last chance saloon” and “really does need Nigel Farage as prime minister”. He added: “I’ve made up my mind that the team that will deliver for this nation will be the team that Nigel will put together, and that’s why I’ve decided that I’m joining Reform UK.”

Tory sources claimed that the former cabinet minister only jumped ship after his request for a peerage was rejected by Kemi Badenoch. A senior source told The Independent that Mr Zahawi “was begging Kemi for a peerage and she said no before he ratted”.

The claim has echoes of Nadine Dorries’s defection after her nomination for a peerage by Boris Johnson was blocked during Rishi Sunak’s time as prime minister. But the move will still be a huge blow to the current Tory leader, who had hoped that she was improving her party’s fortunes after a dismal year in the polls. In a More in Common poll published last week, Reform were on 31 per cent – eight points ahead of the Tories, who were on 23 per cent.