Farage's security has been cut, Reform UK claims

Farage's security has been cut, Reform UK claims

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's publicly-funded security detail has been cut by 75%, the party's head of policy has claimed.

Zia Yusuf said the decision had been taken two weeks ago by parliamentary officials for "inexplicable reasons".

The Commons authorities said they do not comment on individual cases, but a "rigorous" process was in place to assess arrangements for MPs.

It comes amid an escalating war of words between Reform and Sir Keir Starmer over Labour attacks on Farage during its party conference in Liverpool.

Speaking to the BBC, Yusuf accused the prime minister of co-ordinating a "campaign of incitement to violence" against Farage, adding that the Reform UK leader had been subjected to "unprecedented vilification" by ministers.

It comes after Sir Keir described Reform UK's policy of scrapping indefinite leave to remain as "racist" and accused Farage of not liking Britain.

Reform has accused the prime minister of describing Farage and the party's supporters as racists, something Sir Keir has denied.

Yusuf accused Sir Keir of "circling the drain", claiming polling showed Labour members want Sir Keir to stand down as the party's leader.

"So how's he responded? He's responded by co-ordinating the most unprecedented vilification and campaign of incitement to violence against the man who, frankly, he knows he cannot beat at the ballot box," he said.

He added that the attacks on Farage this week had come "in the context" of the decision to downgrade the Reform UK leader's security by Parliament's security team, which manages security for both MPs and members of the House of Lords.