A Cabinet minister has accused Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf of “pretty straightforward racism” following comments made about a potential Labour by-election candidate born in Somalia, reports BritPanorama.
The criticism follows a social media post regarding Sagal Abdi-Wali, a former child refugee and leader of Camden Council, who is considered a frontrunner to stand for Labour in Holborn and St Pancras after former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer resigned as an MP.
Yusuf wrote 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?”
When asked about the Reform politician’s post on Sky News’s Sunday Morning programme, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds stated, “Pretty straightforward racism, isn’t it?” He emphasized that the prospective candidate has “spent decades in this country” and made a significant “huge contribution to her local community.”
In contrast, Robert Jenrick, Reform’s economic spokesman, dismissed accusations of racism, arguing that it is valid to question the loyalties of foreign-born candidates. When pressed on whether Yusuf’s post was racist, Jenrick responded, “No.”
“I don’t know this person, so I’m not here to cast aspersions upon her, but I do want people to sit in our Parliament who are entirely committed to our country,” Jenrick noted. He added, “Maybe she is someone who is entirely patriotic and supportive of this country. 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 further elaborated, “It’s not about whether she’s from Somalia or the United States or wherever. I’m saying that if you weren’t born in this country and you stand for Parliament, it’s a legitimate question to ask: Where are your loyalties? Are you going to put the interests of Britain first?” He raised concerns over time spent in the House of Commons on issues not directly related to the UK, expressing a desire for a shift in focus towards local constituents.
