Ex-Tory chancellor defects to Reform

NIGEL Farage unveiled his latest big-name defector to Reform UK yesterday, former Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi.

- BY CHRISTIAN CALGIE Senior Political Correspondent

Nadhim Zahawi is welcomed by Nigel Farage in London yesterday

Ex-Tory Mr Zahawi, 58, who stepped down from parliament at the last election, called Nigel Farage the only leader willing to speak difficult truths to rescue “sick” Britain.

The announcement shocked Westminster, and prompted a brutal dismissal from the Conservatives, who branded him a “has-been”.

Speaking yesterday, Mr Farage said he had been supportive of Mr Zahawi’s brief tilt at the Tory leadership following Boris Johnson’s downfall, claiming the country would have begun heading in the right direction.

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