Reform UK politician Zia Yusuf has been criticised after tweeting that a likely Labour candidate for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election "was born in Somalia." Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds described the remark as "pretty straightforward racism," praising the candidate's decades of service in the UK. Reform spokesman Robert Jenrick denied the comments were racist and argued it is legitimate to question the loyalties of foreign‑born MPs. The exchange has fuelled wider debate about national identity and representation in Parliament.
Cabinet Minister Calls Zia Yusuf's Tweet 'Pretty Straightforward Racism' Over Candidate's Somali Birth
FILE PHOTO - Reform UK home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf speaks during a press conference at Royal Horseguards Hotel. (is associated with: «Reform UK's Zia Yusuf accused of racism by Cabinet minister») Jonathan Brady/PA Wire/dpa
Reform UK politician Zia Yusuf has been criticised by a Cabinet minister after a tweet highlighting that a likely Labour candidate for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election was born in Somalia.
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former prime minister Keir Starmer as an MP. The potential Labour candidate, Sagal Abdi‑Wali, is leader of Camden Council, a former child refugee and — according to colleagues and local sources — a prominent local figure with decades of public service in the UK.
Yusuf posted on X last week:
"The front runner being foisted on the people of Holborn by Labour to replace the former Prime Minister Keir Starmer in our Parliament was born in Somalia. Do you understand what's happening?"
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds was asked about the post on Sky News and described it as, "Pretty straightforward racism, isn't it?" He added that Abdi‑Wali had "spent decades in this country" and had made a "huge contribution to her local community."
Robert Jenrick, Reform UK's economic spokesman, rejected the accusation that Yusuf's comments were racist. Speaking on the same programme, he said he did not know Abdi‑Wali personally but argued it is reasonable to question the loyalties of foreign‑born MPs and to expect parliamentarians to put the UK's interests first.
"Maybe she is someone who is entirely patriotic and supportive of this country," Jenrick said. "I would just say, and this is the point I think Zia was making, that is not everyone sadly in our current House of Commons... I want people who are solely interested in putting the interests of our country first."
Jenrick went on to criticise what he described as time wasted in the Commons on issues unrelated to the UK, saying some MPs speak as if they were representing other countries — citing Pakistan and Gaza as examples — rather than their constituents.
Observers and political commentators say the exchange highlights broader tensions in British politics over national identity, representation and how parties vet and promote candidates with migrant backgrounds. The story remains developing as the Holborn and St Pancras contest approaches.
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