Reform accused of hypocrisy after Yusuf claims extreme criticism of his party is ‘incitement’ to violence

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party has been accused of hypocrisy after the party claimed rival politicians and media had created a campaign against it that amounted to “incitement”.

The party’s home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, held a press conference on Wednesday to argue that the “environment” in which Ann Widdecombe was killed was “a threat to reform in the UK… that must be stopped urgently”.

He stated that the “narrative” about reform was “a narrative so relentless that it constitutes sedition.”

“Why are we being targeted like this? Because we’re saying things that are unfashionable among many people in Westminster, but are popular across the country,” he added.

Mr Yusuf also referred to a series of historic social media posts by Labor MPs about Ann Widdecombe, adding, without providing context: “Is it surprising that some of these brutally directed rhetoric are seeking to eliminate this so-called threat through lethal violence?”

But the Conservatives accused Yusuf, who in May called Conservative and Labor politicians “traitors to their country” and warned that “a reckoning was coming”, of being “too happy to do this and not willing to risk it”.

A spokesman added: “There is no party that is immune from criticism… It is ironic that it is Zia who says this when he accuses Conservative MPs of being traitors.”

“The murder of Ann Widdecombe is a tragic event and that should be our focus. But there is a problem here where Reformation is happy to hold itself to a different standard than everyone else.”

He added that Mr Yusuf’s comments “only serve those who want to harm MPs”.

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Max Wilkinson said: “Let’s not forget that reform politicians often use language to provoke. If these thin-skinned politicians are up to it, they should learn to accept it. After all, they are often lecturing others about free speech.”

At PMQs, Sir Keir Starmer said all parties “must do more to defend our democracy” following the murder.

“And hopefully the whole House can unite behind this in the coming months,” he told MPs.

The reform has fueled calls for greater security for MPs after a row broke out after party leader Farage claimed it was the reason for a controversial £5 million gift from a crypto billionaire.

At the press conference, Mr Yusuf called for more spending to ensure the full security of all MPs who wish to do so.

He then referred to a tweet by former minister Jess Phillips with Ms Widdecombe in attendance. Definitely Come Dance in 2010, He said: “Ann Widdecombe better go this week. She’s a fascist little monster.”

He also pointed out that deputy prime minister David Lammy called Miss Widdecombe a “bigot” on social media in 2019 and said “we must stand up to them (the bigots) before it’s too late.”

But Mr Youssef has faced questions over his use of language, including his claim last week that the Conservatives were “open border lunatics who deserve to be destroyed”.

Asked if he would look at his own rhetoric, he claimed there was a “clear difference” between his own words and what other parties were saying.

“I think comparing the Reformation to the Nazis, comparing the Reformation to fascists, saying they were the cruelest and most horrific regimes in history, and saying they pose an immediate threat that needs to be stopped are different categories.” he said.

Mr Yusuf also suggested the £5 million from donor Christopher Harborne was primarily aimed at helping Mr Farage pay security costs after he quits frontline politics.

Asked whether the cost of Reform’s 24-hour security policy, potentially for all 650 MPs and some former MPs, would far exceed the £100m estimate, Mr Yusuf said: “We will put something forward about the costs.

“I will say this, even if it costs more financially, it’s still important that we do this because the argument against it is that it’s an acceptable risk of something like what happened to poor Ann happening again. And that’s where I’m going to hit a wall.”

Mr Farage, who has faced criticism for speculating about the cause of Ms Widdecombe’s death, was reportedly offered a security package similar to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch last year, which included a bodyguard, car and trained driver, but turned it down after Reform saw it as a downgrade.

Mr Farage’s resignation as MP for Clacton earlier this month paused an investigation by parliament’s standards commissioner into the £5m donation.

A Conservative Party spokesman added: “Obviously the murder of Ann Widdecombe is a tragic incident and that should be borne in mind. But there is an issue here where the Reformation are happy to hold themselves to a different standard than everyone else.”

They added: “The safety of MPs must certainly be discussed. But the Conservative Party’s biggest concern at the moment is how we fund defence.”