Reform UK's Zia Yusuf calls for reduced political hostility despite past insults

Zia Yusuf has called for a reduction in political hostility—despite previously labelling his opponents as “traitors.”

The Reform UK home affairs spokesperson argued that greater protection is needed for MPs following the targeted killing of Ann Widdecombe last week.

A 28-year-old white British man was arrested on suspicion of murder of the former Tory minister and Reform spokeswoman last Saturday. He was re-arrested on Monday on suspicion of the commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism.

Counter-terror police are now leading the investigation into the Reform politician’s death and examining the motive.

Security and Incitement Claims

Yusuf called for the security budget for serving MPs to increase from £4 million to £100 million in response to Widdecombe’s death.

He also claimed that extreme criticism of his party amounts to incitement to violence, particularly when directed at Reform leader Nigel Farage.

Farage is currently fighting a by-election he triggered in his former constituency of Clacton to force an “establishment versus the people” contest. He stepped down as an MP to run again after a parliamentary probe was launched into an undeclared £5 million donation Farage claimed was intended for his private security.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Yusuf said:

“Many politicians and members of the media are effectively stopping the function of democracy by creating an environment of such hostility for Reform and making it unpalatably dangerous to air perfectly reasonable views. That needs to end. Those who question Nigel Farage’s need for security should stop.”

Past Insults and Contradictions

The Reform politician was reminded by the press that he has levelled multiple insults at rivals over the years:

• In May, he wrote on X: “Recent events demonstrate why I view the Tory and Labour politicians who created the burning injustice of modern Britain as traitors to their country.”
• Two weeks ago, he called Prime Minister Keir Starmer “sick and depraved.”
• Last week, he said the Tories are “open-border lunatics who deserve their extinction.”
• He has regularly accused the Conservatives of “betrayal” and called them “sick arsonists.”

However, Yusuf defended his language, stating:

“The definition of traitor is somebody who is engaged in betrayal. And as far as I’m concerned, it is demonstrable that, for example, the Conservative Party has acted in betrayal of the people who voted for them. And I’m not going to make this an attack on the Conservative Party right now in this answer. But that is demonstrable.”

He argued that opposition politicians have compared Reform to Nazis and fascists—“regimes which are clearly the most brutal and horrific in history”—and said those comparisons are “in a different category.”

Call for Broader Tone-Down

When asked if all politicians need to tone down their rhetoric, Yusuf replied:

“I certainly would not count myself as immune to any of this. I think the points I’ve made in this speech apply to everyone.”

But he reiterated that the insults aimed at Reform are “in a different category,” adding:

“[There] is a relentless narrative from politicians and the media that Reform UK is a threat. A narrative so relentless it constitutes incitement. And why are we targeted like this? Because we say things that are unfashionable among many in Westminster, but are popular in the country at large.”