Richard Tice Hits Back at Reform UK Critics as Party Civil War Escalates

Key Points

• Warring factions of Reform UK have been told to resolve their differences “behind closed doors” by the party’s deputy leader Richard Tice.
• The intervention comes as political commentator Tim Montgomerie’s suspension for claiming that home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf was “a child” on a podcast appearance.
• Mr Tice spoke at a press conference in Enfield, where he was announcing a Reform UK apprenticeships policy.
• Former Downing Street adviser to Boris Johnson and former editor of ConservativeHome, Mr Montgomerie said Mr Farage had no idea of his expulsion.
• Mr Yusuf has found himself in the middle of numerous controversies, such as last week’s condemnation of former defence secretary Ben Wallace as a ‘traitor to Britain’.
• In June 2025, Mr Yusuf briefly toppled as Reform chairman after he refused to accept the ban on burkas, but was persuaded by Mr Farage to come back.
• The controversy has become a battle over election strategy, with party supporters who are more ideologically conservative pushing for Mr Yusuf, but others worried that he will appeal to Middle England voters, party sources said.

Enfield (Britain Today News) August 20, 2026 — Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, has urged colleagues embroiled in the party’s escalating internal feud to keep their disagreements out of public view, insisting that Reform remains a “fast-growing party” that will inevitably contain a range of opinions.

The call for unity came as Reform UK’s civil war showed no sign of cooling, with senior figures trading barbed criticism in the days since the abrupt suspension of political commentator Tim Montgomerie. Mr Tice, addressing reporters, defended the party’s internal culture while stressing that disputes ought to be resolved privately rather than played out in the media.

Why Has Richard Tice Spoken Out Now?

Mr Tice’s comments arrive at a delicate moment for Reform UK, with the party attempting to project an image of discipline and electoral momentum while simultaneously managing a very public falling-out among some of its most prominent figures. Speaking at a press conference in Enfield, where he had originally gathered journalists to announce a new Reform UK apprenticeships policy, Mr Tice found himself instead fielding questions about the party’s internal turmoil.

He told reporters:

“We’re a fast-growing political party. There’ll be a range of views, and sometimes we’ll agree, and sometimes we’ll have a debate and discussion.”

What Did Richard Tice Say About Handling Disagreements?

Pressed further on how the party should manage internal disputes, Mr Tice drew a comparison with the world of business, arguing that disagreement itself was not the problem but rather how and where it was aired.

He said:

“That’s what you do in business. That’s what you do in a boardroom. That’s what you do when you’re brainstorming.”

He continued:

“But what we’ve always said is that actually, when you’re having your discussions about those things, in the nicest possible way, as you would in a boardroom or in a brainstorming session in a company, you keep it behind closed doors, and then you go out and sell a great message.”

The remarks were widely interpreted as a direct response to the public sparring that has engulfed the party in recent days, and as an attempt to draw a line under the controversy without directly criticising any individual by name.

What Did Tim Montgomerie Say About Zia Yusuf?

The row was triggered by comments made by Tim Montgomerie, a well-known political commentator in Westminster, who was suspended from Reform UK this week after describing the party’s home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, as “a child” during a podcast appearance.

Mr Montgomerie went further, criticising Mr Yusuf’s conduct on social media and warning that his approach had damaged relationships within the party. He said:

“A lot of people are on not-speaking terms with Zia, and it’s nearly always Zia who initiates it. It needs to end.”

The comments proved explosive, prompting Reform UK to move swiftly against Mr Montgomerie, who was suspended shortly after the podcast aired.

Who Is Tim Montgomerie And Why Does His Suspension Matter?

Mr Montgomerie is a significant figure in Westminster political circles. He is the former editor of the ConservativeHome website, a platform that has long been influential among grassroots Conservative activists and commentators, and he previously served as an adviser to Boris Johnson during his time in Downing Street.

His suspension from Reform UK has therefore carried particular weight, given his standing and experience within right-of-centre politics. It has also raised questions about how decisions are made at the top of the party, and who is ultimately responsible for them.

Did Nigel Farage Know About Tim Montgomerie’s Suspension?

According to Mr Montgomerie, the Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, was not aware of the decision to remove him from the party before it happened. Mr Montgomerie suggested that his sudden fall from grace had occurred without Mr Farage’s direct knowledge, a claim that has fuelled further speculation about who within Reform UK is driving disciplinary decisions and whether the leadership is fully aligned on how such matters should be handled.

Neither Mr Farage nor Reform UK has publicly disputed or confirmed Mr Montgomerie’s account of events at the time of writing.

Why Is Zia Yusuf Such A Controversial Figure Within Reform UK?

Zia Yusuf has emerged as one of the most divisive figures within Reform UK since joining the party as its largest donor ahead of the 2024 general election. His rapid rise through the party’s ranks, culminating in his appointment to oversee policy, has not been without friction.

Last week, Mr Yusuf caused further controversy after describing former defence secretary and ex-soldier Ben Wallace as a “traitor to Britain”. The remark drew particular attention given that Mr Yusuf had, only weeks earlier, accused rival parties of endangering Reform politicians through the use of inflammatory language, a position that critics say sits uneasily alongside his comments about Mr Wallace.

What Happened When Zia Yusuf Quit As Reform Chairman?

Mr Yusuf’s relationship with the party has not always been smooth. In June 2025, he resigned as Reform UK chairman following a dispute over a proposed policy to ban the wearing of burkas. The resignation was seen at the time as a significant blow to the party, given Mr Yusuf’s financial backing and prominence.

However, Mr Farage subsequently persuaded him to return to the fold, and Mr Yusuf was placed in charge of party policy, a role that has since put him at the centre of several further controversies, including the current dispute with Mr Montgomerie.

Is The Row Really About Reform UK’s Election Strategy?

According to sources within Reform UK, the underlying tension between Mr Yusuf and Mr Montgomerie reflects a broader and more consequential debate about how the party should position itself ahead of the next general election.

Mr Yusuf is understood to command strong support among the party’s more hardline membership, who value his uncompromising approach. However, other senior figures are said to be concerned that his style and rhetoric could alienate more moderate voters in Middle England, whose support Mr Farage is widely seen as needing to secure to have any realistic prospect of entering Downing Street.
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What Does This Mean For Reform UK’s Public Image?

The public nature of the dispute presents a challenge for a party that has built much of its recent momentum on presenting itself as a disciplined and credible alternative to the mainstream parties. Mr Tice’s intervention appears designed to reassure both members and the wider public that, despite visible disagreements, Reform UK remains unified in its broader objectives.

Whether his call for disputes to be settled “behind closed doors” will be heeded by colleagues remains to be seen, particularly given the strength of feeling that has already spilt into public view. For now, questions remain over how the party will manage the competing personalities and strategic visions at play as it looks ahead to future electoral battles.

What Happens Next For Reform UK?

With Mr Montgomerie suspended and Mr Yusuf continuing to occupy a central role in shaping party policy, attention will now turn to whether further departures or disciplinary actions follow. Party watchers will also be closely monitoring whether Mr Farage moves to publicly address the situation directly, given Mr Montgomerie’s suggestion that the leader was not consulted before the suspension took effect.

For now, Mr Tice’s comments in Enfield stand as the clearest public statement yet from Reform UK’s leadership on how it intends to handle the ongoing dispute, even as questions persist over unity at the top of the party.