Zia Yusuf, Reform UK's spokesperson for home affairs speaks at a press conference in London, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. Zia Yusuf has attacked former “deadbeat Tory ministers” in what appears to be a swipe at his Reform UK colleagues. The party’s home affairs spokesperson claimed a Conservative pact with Reform would only work “over my dead body” in a slap down to the rival right-wing party. More than 20 former Tory MPs have defected to Reform since the Conservatives were kicked out of government in the 2024 general election. Yusuf’s remarks revive the existing tensions within Reform between the former Conservatives who defected over to Nigel Farage’s party and those who have been part of the group since before it became a dominant force in mainstream politics. Mimicking a popular social media format, Zusuf slammed an unnamed “deadbeat Tory minister” who “promised to cut immigration”, only to “throw open Britain’s borders and then “write articles constantly pleading for a ‘pact’ with Reform so you can try and suffocate us from within.” He added: “OVER MY DEAD BODY!” >be a deadbeat tory minister >promise to cut immigration >throw open Britain's borders and import 11 million migrants >leave the country with *fewer* hospital beds and almost no new prison places >leave our borders open to invaders who predate on British woment and girls… — Zia Yusuf (@ZiaYusufUK) September 19, 2026 Yusuf is not an MP. But, of Reform’s eight representatives in the Commons, four used to be Tory MPs and two were ministers. Suella Braverman, now Reform’s education spokesperson, was the home secretary under Rishi Sunak while Robert Jenrick, Reform’s Treasury spokesperson, was the immigration minister. Many on social media suggested Yusuf was directing his criticism towards Jenrick and Braverman, who have tried to distance themselves from their past in government. Some of you colleagues are going to be sooo cross with you 😉 https://t.co/MUzp6zJXeh — Kay Burley (@KayBurley) September 19, 2026 Are you referring to Braverman or Jenrick? — Firas Modad (@firasmodad) September 19, 2026 Brutal takedown of Suella, Zia. pic.twitter.com/ppFkbuUXfS — Ben Obese-Jecty MP (@BenObeseJecty) September 19, 2026 Very ambiguous to whom he refers…. inside his own party 🙄 https://t.co/RBMTfsYkOe — Giles Dilnot (@reporterboy) September 19, 2026 You missed out “defect to Reform” https://t.co/iG4IfZCy81 — fleetstreetfox (@fleetstreetfox) September 19, 2026 Yusuf has been frequently criticised for his outspoken social media takes in recent months. He has been accused of racism after slamming a former child refugee and a Labour council leader because she was born in Somalia. The prominent politician also called former Tory defence secretary Ben Wallace – who served in the Army – a “traitor” to the UK. His remarks have drawn criticism from within his own party, including from Farage who previously said he would give Yusuf a “ticking off” for his “over the top” language. Former Tory cabinet minister and now Reform member Nadine Dorries also told Times Radio earlier this month: “I think Zia’s got a problem with Twitter. Someone needs to take his phone off him.” Reform is also grappling with heightened scrutiny over its finances after receiving £72 million in donations from crypto-billionaires last week. 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 Hit With Brutal 3-Word Reminder By Tory Chairman After Attack On Migrants Reform Civil War Erupts Again As Senior Figure Quits Party With Blast At Zia Yusuf 'Straight-Up Racism': Minister Slams Zia Yusuf Over Attack On Labour Council Leader