Tim Montgomerie, the founder of ConservativeHome, who switched after 33 years with the Conservatives to supporting Reform UK in December 2024, has been ‘suspended’ as a member of the party.
It follows an interview he did with Tim Shipman, and James Heale for The Spectator’s Coffee House podcast where he revealed internal tensions between Zia Yusuf and others in Reform including Robert Jenrick, Tim himself and indeed Nigel Farage. When asked as was reported this week that Farage may have ‘fallen out of love with Zia” Tim answered that he thought that was true.
He also revealed that Yusuf didn’t talk to him for months after discovering Tim had been part of moves to get Robert Jenrick to defect.
His criticisms follow a series of tweets from Yusuf, one of which branded former Conservative Defence Secretary and former serving soldier Ben Wallace ‘a traitor’ – which Nigel Farage described to the Sun as ‘going to far’ and promising to ‘tick him off’. Montgomerie also suggested that Zia Yusuf saw himself as the person to succeed Nigel Farage, if Farage left the political stage.
The rumour was given to ConservativeHome late last night that Montgomerie had been ‘kicked out’ of Reform but until this morning it proved hard to find senior people in Reform who could confirm that it was a ‘suspension’ but not how long it might be, and what process might resolve the situation either way. Nor did the rumour suggest who had made the decision.
This morning a highly placed source within the party confirmed the rumour.
Our understanding is that Montgomerie was informed of his suspension following the production of the podcast, but before its publication. Tim has been contacted for any comment.
This is a developing story.
Tim Montgomerie, the founder of ConservativeHome, who switched after 33 years with the Conservatives to supporting Reform UK in December 2024, has been ‘suspended’ as a member of the party.
It follows an interview he did with Tim Shipman, and James Heale for The Spectator’s Coffee House podcast where he revealed internal tensions between Zia Yusuf and others in Reform including Robert Jenrick, Tim himself and indeed Nigel Farage. When asked as was reported this week that Farage may have ‘fallen out of love with Zia” Tim answered that he thought that was true.
He also revealed that Yusuf didn’t talk to him for months after discovering Tim had been part of moves to get Robert Jenrick to defect.
His criticisms follow a series of tweets from Yusuf, one of which branded former Conservative Defence Secretary and former serving soldier Ben Wallace ‘a traitor’ – which Nigel Farage described to the Sun as ‘going to far’ and promising to ‘tick him off’. Montgomerie also suggested that Zia Yusuf saw himself as the person to succeed Nigel Farage, if Farage left the political stage.
The rumour was given to ConservativeHome late last night that Montgomerie had been ‘kicked out’ of Reform but until this morning it proved hard to find senior people in Reform who could confirm that it was a ‘suspension’ but not how long it might be, and what process might resolve the situation either way. Nor did the rumour suggest who had made the decision.
This morning a highly placed source within the party confirmed the rumour.
Our understanding is that Montgomerie was informed of his suspension following the production of the podcast, but before its publication. Tim has been contacted for any comment.
This is a developing story.