Reform UK has suspended prominent former Conservative Tim Montgomerie following his criticism of senior party figures, including Nigel Farage, in media interviews.
Montgomerie, who defected to Reform 18 months ago after a long career as a Tory adviser and commentator, has stated his intention to appeal the suspension.
On Friday, Montgomerie expressed frustration with Farage’s ‘aggrieved’ tone following the Clacton by-election, and on Monday told The Spectator podcast that Reform’s home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf was not a ‘team player’.
Reform confirmed the suspension was conducted in accordance with party rules following public criticism.
Sources indicate Montgomerie was notified of the suspension prior to the Spectator podcast broadcast.
During the podcast, he commended Farage’s media skills but acknowledged he had not handled questions regarding his personal finances well, noting a need for better preparation.
Montgomerie stated that facing hostile questioning represents Farage’s ‘Achilles heel’, as he does not perform well under such pressure. He added that he had privately advised Farage that Reform needed to do more to become a ‘credible party’.
Montgomerie has recently been openly critical of Yusuf on social media. In the Spectator interview, he described the home affairs spokesman as ‘loyal to Nigel as he has to be if he wants to succeed him’, but said he did not act as a ‘team player’.
He claimed Yusuf ceased communication with him for three months after aiding Tory MP Robert Jenrick’s defection to Reform, and accused him of behaving ‘like a child’.
Following the emergence of his suspension on the Guido Fawkes website, Montgomerie affirmed his belief in the party’s policies and membership, stating he sought only to make the party ‘better and stronger’ through his public criticisms.
‘If they wish to remove me, they will have to do so after an argument,’ he added.
He claimed Farage was unaware of the suspension decision, noting he had warned the Reform leader upon joining the party that he would occasionally be critical, mirroring his critiques of the Tory leadership during his tenure at ConservativeHome.
He added that Farage had stated there was insufficient internal debate within Reform and that he had been welcomed on that very basis.