Reform UK Suspends Board Member Tim Montgomerie

Reform UK has suspended party board member and commentator Tim Montgomerie. The suspension follows a period of public criticism from Montgomerie regarding party leadership and internal conduct. One source reports that the suspension was triggered by Montgomerie criticizing Nigel Farage for failing to appear at the Clacton by-election count. Another source provides more detail, stating that Montgomerie had been critical of home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf, suggesting in a podcast that Yusuf was not a team player and that Farage had fallen out of love with him.

Montgomerie had previously criticized Yusuf for using inappropriate language toward opponents and for his social media output. He also commented on Nigel Farage's handling of a 5 million pound donation from Christopher Harborne, stating that Farage cannot hide away from the issue. In response, a senior Reform source stated that the party leadership had received months of complaints regarding Montgomerie's behavior and conduct. The source added that the party will not engage in Tory briefing wars and that disagreements should occur behind closed doors rather than in the national media.