'Not a good use of my time," says departing Reform chair

Reform UK have been hit by further chaos after the man brought in by Nigel Farage to professionalise the party quit following a row with their newest MP.

- DAVID MADDOX ARCHIE MITCHELL

Zia Yusuf, a Muslim businessman, had described new Runcorn MP Sarah Pochin as "dumb" after she challenged Sir Keir Starmer over the legality of women wearing the burqa in the UK during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.

After fury broke out about his comment, Mr Yusuf, who has been the target of anger by many activists over several months, announced he has quit. He said on X/Twitter: “11 months ago I became Chairman of Reform. I’ve worked full time as a volunteer to take the party from 14 to 30%, quadrupled its membership and delivered historic electoral results.

“I no longer believe working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time, and hereby resign the office.”

The timing could not be worse with Reform trying to make a breakthrough in Scotland in the Hamilton by-election for the Scottish parliament.

The row with Ms Pochin has brought back memories of the fracture in Reform earlier this year when MP Rupert Lowe was ousted from the party following a row which began with Mr Yusuf in December. Mr Lowe is still seeking damages for defamation against Mr Yusuf after he was accused of threatening the chair.