Former Reform chairman, Zia Yusuf (L), and Reform UK Leader, Nigel Farage, (R) arrive at the start of the Reform UK Deportations Policy Announcement on August 26, 2025 in Oxford, England. Zia Yusuf has been accused of plotting to replace Nigel Farage amid heightened scrutiny over Reform UK donations. The party has been reported to the Metropolitan Police after an undercover sting operation accused Reform of accepting foreign funding, which goes against British electoral law. Investigative journalists from Verbatim accused the party of allegedly taking funding from a US company to commission three supposedly independent polls at £32,500 earlier this year. Reform’s head of policy James Orr and Farage’s close aide Dan Jukes organised the donation and were unaware the donors were actually undercover reporters. Jukes has been accused of suggesting a way to work around British electoral law, too, so an American donor could give £500,000 to Reform UK. Jukes and Orr have stepped down after the report was broadcast by Channel 4 News. Reform insists it is not guilty of any wrongdoing and called the incident a “hoax”. Farage has downplayed the concerns about breaching electoral rules, claiming it was “loose pub talk” and “jack-the-lad-dery”. Amid this serious chaos, Yusuf chose to publish a glossy social media, telling a detailed story about his childhood and life before politics. “I’ve dedicated my life to serving,” the unelected politician said in the clip. “I’ve spent my career getting things done, doing hard things in the real world. That’s exactly what I’ll bring to the office of home secretary. “If you want another career politician doing TikToks about crisps, there’s plenty to choose from. If you want someone who will do whatever it takes to deliver on our promises, vote Reform.” This is my story. pic.twitter.com/08cAApWRkL — Zia Yusuf (@ZiaYusufUK) September 4, 2026 The clip was published shortly before Yusuf’s major speech in front of the party conference where he told Reform delegates the “fate of this country is down to us”. It quickly sparked speculation that the Reform politician’s timing may have been strategic. Former Farage ally Tim Montgomerie, who was recently suspended for publicly criticising the party, said: “The sooner Nigel Farage realises this man is running to replace him as leader, the better.” Reform UK has been approached for comment. Plenty of other commentators on social media seemed to think Yusuf might also have his eye on the crown. He must think Nigel is on the ropes - this is a leadership campaign video https://t.co/VDNbjc6WbY — Rupert Myers (@RupertMyers) September 4, 2026 Zia knows Farage is toast and is making a bid for party leader 👇 https://t.co/unaAGYjzn8 — Harry Eccles (@Heccles94) September 4, 2026 And your leadership bid. https://t.co/cT8gvbFUQZ — Michael Crick (@MichaelLCrick) September 4, 2026 Quite leadership-pitchy... is there a vacancy? https://t.co/jdxpQJcCvN — David Wilcock (@DavidTWilcock) September 4, 2026 Does this look like a leadership campaign video to anyone else? https://t.co/qVG4C2MIt0 — Andy The Gabby Cabby (@gabby_cabby) September 4, 2026 He’s either running for Starmer’s old seat, or he’s pitching himself as Farage’s successor. Both would go hilariously badly https://t.co/JgPwdY0it4 — LeftSideOfHistory (@leftsidehist) September 4, 2026 He's running ... https://t.co/1lDwDVUEPs — Kevin Schofield (@KevinASchofield) September 4, 2026 Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster. Related... Zia Yusuf Accused Of Racism Over Attack On Somali-Born Labour Council Leader Lee Anderson Advises Critics To 'Just Scroll By' Zia Yusuf's Online Posts Zia Yusuf Stirs Reform Pot With Bizarre Attack On 'Dishonourable' Politicians