Reform UK Shadow Home Secretary Zia Yusuf delivers a speech during Reform UK's annual conference at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, United Kingdom, on September 4, 2026. Zia Yusuf was accused of “straight-up racism” by a Labour cabinet minister over the Reform politician’s criticism of a Somali-born council leader. Sagal Abdi-Wali is among those in the running to stand for the party in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election triggered by Keir Starmer’s resignation as an MP last week. She is a former child refugee who came to this country 30 years ago. She became a Labour councillor in 2022, and has been leader of Camden Council in north London since May. Abdi-Wali is also a close ally to the seat’s last MP, former prime minister Keir Starmer, who resigned last week. Reform’s home affairs spokesperson Yusuf – whose parents came to the UK from Sri Lanka – hit out at the potential candidate, writing on X: “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 questioned about Yusuf’s post on Sky News’s Sunday Morning programme, business secretary Jonathan Reynolds described it as a “pretty straightforward racism”. “A potential candidate referenced there, spent decades in this country, huge contribution to her local community so I think that speaks for itself,” he said. Asked by presenter Jon Sopel if it was “plain racism”, Reynolds said: “Absolutely.” Business Secretary Jonathon Reynolds accuses Reform UK's Zia Yusuf of "straightforward racism" over his comments about a potential Labour candidate in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.https://t.co/0dGCXzd0sR 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/7xdwmBxpvo — Sky News (@SkyNews) September 6, 2026 Reform’s Treasury spokesperson Robert Jenrick rejected the claims Yusuf’s remarks were racist later on the same programme. He said: “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, “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.” He continued: “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? “And you would not believe how much time is wasted in the House of Commons debating things that have nothing to do with this country whatsoever, and how many people stand up and make the case for Pakistan or Gaza as if they were representing those places and not their own constituents, and I want that to end.” Yusuf’s remarks triggered a huge social media storm last week, with Lib Dem leader Ed Davey calling it “racism, straight out of the Trump playbook”. 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 Plotting To Replace Nigel Farage Amid Donations Row 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