Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has unveiled former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi as his latest defector from the Tories.
Mr Zahawi, who served as Chancellor in the tail end of Boris Johnson's premiership, was revealed as Reform UK's newest recruit during a press conference in Westminster.
The former Stratford-upon-Avon MP dealt a major blow to Kemi Badenoch by joining more than 20 ex-Tory defectors to Reform UK.
Mr Zahawi said: “I’m here today to tell you and, of course, the British people, that Britain needs Reform. Britain needs Nigel Farage as Prime Minister. I know this may come as a surprise to my old party and to many Westminster watches.
The former Stratford-upon-Avon MP dealt a major blow to Kemi Badenoch by joining more than 20 ex-Tory defectors to Reform UK
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“But it really shouldn’t and it certainly won’t come as a shock to the tens of millions of hard-working, patriotic, decent people up and down our wonderful United Kingdom from the highlands of Scotland to the bottom of Cornwall, from rural Wales to the beating heart of London.
“We can all see that our beautiful, ancient, kind, magical island story has reached a dark and dangerous chapter.”
However, Mr Zahawi was not always a fan of Mr Farage.
In a social media post ahead of the 2015 General Election, Mr Zahawi accused the then-Ukip leader of making “offensive and racist” comments.
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Mr Farage was also quizzed on his view on Mr Zahawi after it emerged he accused the former Tory MP of “climbing that greasy pole” to become Chancellor
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He added: “I would be frightened to live in a country run by you.”
Mr Zahawi, who stood to become Tory leader in 2022, was grilled on his previous comment by GB News political correspondent Katherine Forster.
He said: “But all I would say to you is if I thought this man sitting next to me in any way had an issue with people of my colour or my background who have come to this country, who have integrated, assimilated, proud of this country, worked hard for this country, paid millions of pounds in taxes in this country, invested in this country, I wouldn’t be sitting next to him. And I don’t think he would be sitting next to me either.”
Mr Zahawi’s social media account has since deleted the post from 2015.
Mr Zahawi, who served as Chancellor in the tail end of Boris Johnson's premiership, was revealed as Reform UK's newest recruit during a press conference in Westminster
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Meanwhile, Mr Farage was also quizzed on his view on Mr Zahawi after it emerged he accused the former Tory MP of “climbing that greasy pole” to become Chancellor.
“I was openly a publicly professed fan [of Mr Zahawi],” the Reform UK leader said.
“I was disappointed that he decided to join what I saw as a failing Government at that moment in time. But I’ve always been a fan.”
Mr Zahawi, who also served as Vaccines Minister and Education Secretary, insisted he had not been promised any role in a future Reform UK Government or the chance to run as an MP.
Mr Farage, who suggested Reform UK is looking to give Mr Zahawi a top job, also claimed Reform UK has turned down ex-Tories who were looking to defect
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He said: “No promises at all. I was a footsoldier in the Conservative Party, I’m now a footsoldier in Reform UK because I genuinely believe the country cannot afford a decade of Labour Government.
“And the only real hope for us removing this Government is to get behind Nigel Farage and his team.”
However, Mr Farage hailed Mr Zahawi’s defection as an example of Reform UK building a top team ahead of the next general election, dismissing suggestions he is leading a “one-man band”.
Mr Farage, who suggested Reform UK is looking to give Mr Zahawi a top job, also claimed Reform UK has turned down ex-Tories who were looking to defect.
However, the Reform UK leader hinted at a fresh wave of defections after the 2026 Local Elections, adding: “There’s a strong chance that the Conservative Party, after its couple of hundred years, will cease to be a national party, hence the conversations going on.”
Nadhim Zahawi's defection sparked a furious response from the Tories
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Responding to Mr Zahawi’s defection, a Conservative Party spokesman said: “Reform is fast becoming the party of has-been politicians looking for their next gravy train.
“Their latest recruit used to say he’d be ‘frightened to live in a country’ run by Nigel Farage, which shows the level of loyalty for sale.
”Reform want higher welfare spending and higher taxes.
“They are a one-man band with no plan for our country.
“Under Kemi Badenoch, the Conservatives are demonstrating we have the plan, the competence and the team to get Britain working again.”
Mr Zahawi fired back by claiming Mrs Kemi Badenoch had reached out to ask for his advice shortly before his defection.