Reform UK civil war erupts as Nigel Farage unveils new top team after election

A row erupted in Reform today after Nigel Farage unveiled his new top team.

Richard Tice, the MP for Boston and Skegness, moves from the role of chairman to become deputy leader replacing Ben Habib, while Ashfield MP Lee Anderson will become the chief whip.

Businessman Zia Yusuf, who was a major donor to Reform over their General Election campaign, has been appointed chairman.

Mr Farage, who formally took his seat in the Commons today as the new MP for Clacton, said: “These appointments are the first step to ensure that Reform UK is fit and ready to take forward its positive message.

“I have no doubt that we will professionalise the party and change politics for good.”

Mr Yusuf, who earned an estimated £31 million from selling his luxury concierge app Velocity Black last year, said his new role was an “honour”.

New deputy leader Mr Tice said he was “delighted” at the 37-year-old entrepreneur’s appointment.

Mr Anderson, who defected from the Tories to Reform earlier this year, added: “Using my experience of the twists and turns of Parliamentary life and procedure to ensure that our team is focussed and delivers for our constituency and the more than four million voters will be a great honour and pleasure. The fox is in the henhouse.”

But a row erupted with Mr Habib said he was weighing up his position within the party following his ousting.

Reform returned five MPs in last week’s election but the former Brexit Party MEP was one of the hundreds of unsuccessful candidates, finishing third in the Wellingborough and Rushden seat.

Mr Habib said: “I have just been informed by Nigel Farage that Richard Tice is taking over as deputy leader of the party. Consequently I no longer hold that position.

“I am considering my position more generally in light of this change.

“I have long held concerns about the control of the party and the decision-making processes. I will reflect on all of this.

“The key for me is that Reform UK stays true to the promises made to the British people. The movement we have created does not belong to us, it belongs to the people. We are obliged and indebted to the British people.”