Tim Montgomerie Quits Reform Following Suspension
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By Joe Pike and Jennifer McKiernan
Conservative Party defector and political commentator Tim Montgomerie has resigned from Reform UK, urging Nigel Farage to "get a grip" of the party.
Montgomerie had been suspended from Reform UK last month after criticising senior figures within the party. He defected from the Conservatives 18 months ago.
"I think they wanted me back in the party but meekly," he told the BBC, "And I wasn’t prepared to do that."
He intends to remain a supporter of Reform UK but calls for it to be "more like Reform and less like the AfD". He points to the AfD’s controversial ‘remigration’ policy as an example of where Reform needs to stand firm against far-right ideologies.
"Nigel needs to get a grip, he needs to lead the party," he said.
"The one thing he’s been brilliant at is policing the right and stopping [far-right activist] Tommy Robinson joining. But for the sake of his legacy and the sake of decency he needs to sort it out, and bring people like Zia Yusuf under control."
Montgomerie’s suspension followed criticism of Zia Yusuf, Reform’s home affairs spokesman, whom he described as not being a "team player".
