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Nigel Farage's party in chaos after Reform chairman QUITS postReform's chairman Zia Yusuf resigned his post with a party jibe for Nigel Farage's party after he criticised new MP Sarah Pochin

for a PMQs question on whether to ban the burkaReform's Zia Yusuf has quit his post (Image: PA)ByLizzy BuchanPolitical EditorSophie HuskissonPolitical Correspondent17:41, 5 Jun

2025Updated18:52, 5 Jun 2025|comments

Reform UK's chairman Zia Yusuf has dramatically quit after criticising its MPs for calling for a burka ban.

He tweeted: "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."

In a parting jibe, he added: "I no longer believe working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time, and hereby resign the office."

It comes only hours after he criticised newly elected Reform MP Sarah Pochin for demanding a ban on the burka.

In her first Prime Minister's Questions appearance, she asked Keir Starmer whether he would join countries including France, Denmark and Belgium in banning the face and body covering

worn by some Muslim women.

burka (Image:PA)

Lee Anderson, another Reform MP, tweeted: "Ban the burqa? Yes we should. No one should be allowed to hide their identity in public."

Reform UK distanced itself from the question, confirming that a burka ban is "not party policy". They added there needs to be a "national debate" about it.

But Mr Yusuf waded in to say it was "dumb" for Ms Pochin to ask the question if it was not Reform policy. His comment came in response to controversial commentator Katie Hopkins, who asked

him on social media if he had been the one to say it was "not party policy". The far-right TV personality added: "Burka ban MUST be party policy."

times (Image:PA)

Mr Yusuf replied: "Nothing to do with me. Had no idea about the question nor that it wasn’t policy. Busy with other stuff. I do think it’s dumb for a party to ask the PM if they would do

something the party itself wouldn’t do."

Labour said Reform was once again fighting amongst themselves and warned voters "can't afford the risk of Reform UK".

A Labour spokesman said: “If Nigel Farage can’t manage a handful of politicians, how on earth could he run a country? He has fallen out with everyone he has ever worked with. Reform are just

not serious.

“The Reform Chair has done a runner so that he doesn’t have to front up Farage’s £80 billion in unfunded cuts, which would spark a Liz Truss-style economic meltdown.

“Nigel Farage’s plans would put up every single mortgage in the country and hammer family finances, while forcing them to buy private healthcare. Working people simply can’t afford the risk

of Reform UK.”

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Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper MP said: “By sacking himself, Zia Yusuf seems to be leading the “UK DOGE” by example. You have to admire his commitment to the cause.

“It’s already clear Reform UK cannot deliver for the communities they are elected to stand up for. Instead, they have copied the Conservative playbook of fighting like rats in a sack.”

Reform leader Nigel Farage said: "I am genuinely sorry that Zia Yusuf has decided to stand down as Reform UK Chairman.

"As I said just last week, he was a huge factor in our success on May 1 and is an enormously talented person.

"Politics can be a highly pressured and difficult game and Zia has clearly had enough. He is a loss to us and public life."

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