Reform's Zia Yusuf grilled over MP with mug mocking Keir Starmer in hijab
Reform UK's ex-chairman Zia Yusuf has been confronted over one of the party's MPs holding a mug showing Keir Starmer in a hijab.
The image of the newly elected Reform MP Sarah Pochin - shared by the anti-racism charity Hope Not Hate - was posted by LBC last week. It shows a mocked-up image of the Prime Minister in a headscarf used by Muslim women alongside the words "Two Tier Keir".
Just last week Ms Pochin called on Mr Starmer to ban the burka - used to cover the face and body - in a move that caused chaos in Reform UK's ranks.
Nigel Farage's party distanced itself from the question, confirming that a burka ban is "not party policy". They added there needs to be a "national debate" about it. But Zia Yusuf described the question by Ms Pochin as "dumb" and quit as party chairman last week - before returning to the party's ranks just 48 hours later.
Pressed on the image of the MP holding the mug - portraying the PM in a hijab - Mr Yusuf claimed on the BBC Radio 4's Today that Ms Pochin is an "incredible MP".
Last week Georgie Laming from Hope Not Hate said: 'This photo and Pochin's comments this week show her extreme anti-Muslim prejudice. The image on the mug has been shared widely in far right circles by extreme figures who use the image to suggest Labour is complicit in the islamification of Britain."
But Mr Yusuf said: "I was instrumental in selecting her... I think she's a phenomenal asset to the party and the House of Commons." Quizzed on whether he was "comfortable" with the image, he said: "It's obvious she's laughing. I know Sarah incredibly well. I consider her a very close friend. So yes, I know who Sarah is."
Defending the MP, he went on: "I think some of the things that are being characterised about a photo in the context of probably tens of thousands of photos that have been taken of her are complete mischaracterisation".
During the interview, Mr Yusuf also said he regretted describing the MP's question to Mr Starmer on a burka ban last week as "dumb". Asked whether he stood by his view, he said: "The first thing I would say is I regret that tweet.
"But let me be clear about what I meant by that. The question was asked in the House of Commons by Sarah who is a brilliant MP and then it was also made clear that would not be party policy. That's all I was stating, I was reflecting the party's position." He added: "To some degree I made this a bit of a storm in a teacup because I was exhausted." Ms Pochin has been contacted for comment.
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