Farage's party in chaos after Reform chairman slams own MP over 'dumb' question
Reform MP Sarah Pochin, who was elected in last month's Runcorn by-election, demanded the government ban the burka face covering - but officials said this was 'not party policy'
Reform UK's chairman has hit out at a "dumb" PMQs question asked by the party's newly elected MP.
Sarah Pochin, who was elected in last month's Runcorn by-election, yesterday demanded the government ban the burka face covering. During Prime Minister's Questions, she asked Keir Starmer whether he would be joining countries including France, Denmark and Belgium in banning the face and body covering worn by some Muslim women.
Reform UK distanced itself from the question, confirming that a burqa ban is "not party policy". They added there needs to be a "national debate" about it.
Zia Yusuf, Reform's chairman, today said it was "dumb" for Ms Pochin to ask the question if it was not something Reform was behind. His comment came after controversial commentator Katie Hopkins asked him on social media if he had been the one to say it was "not party policy". The far-right TV personality added: "Burka ban MUST be party policy."
Mr Yusuf replied: "Nothing to do with me. Had no idea about the question nor that it wasn't policy. Busy with other stuff. I do think it's dumb for a party to ask the PM if they would do something the party itself wouldn't do."
Labour slammed Nigel Farage's party for again descending into fighting in their own ranks, especially as the party was small enough that its five MPs could fit "in the back of a cab". It warned voters Reform "only guarantees more Liz Truss-style chaos".
A Labour spokesman said: ' Nigel Farage could fit all of his MPs in the back of a cab, yet he can't stop them fighting among themselves. Reform only guarantees more Liz Truss-style chaos. Their £80billion of unfunded commitments would lead to economic meltdown and put up everyone's mortgage and bills. They're just not credible.'
Ms Pochin faced disquiet and cries of "shame" from MPs in the Commons on Wednesday after she called for a burqa ban during PMQs. She asked the PM: "Given the Prime Minister's desire to strengthen strategic alignment with our European neighbours, will he in the interests of public safety follow the lead of France, Denmark, Belgium and others and ban the burka?"
Then-French president Nicolas Sarkozy introduced the ban in France in 2010. Anyone found wearing the covering in a public space can face a fine of 150 euros (£125). It has since been unsuccessfully challenged in the European courts.
Belgium brought in a similar ban a year later, and other countries including Denmark and Austria have got similar laws. Switzerland was the latest European country to introduce a prohibition, which started on January 1 this year.
The Prime Minister did not answer Ms Pochin's question, and instead used the opportunity to attack Reform's economic plans announced by party leader Mr Farage last week.
Mr Starmer said: "Can I welcome her to her place, but I'm not going to follow her down that line. But now she is here and safely in her place, perhaps she could tell her new party leader that his latest plan to bet £80billion of unfunded tax cuts, with no idea how he's going to pay for it, is Liz Truss all over again.
"Although considering I think (Ms Pochin) was a Conservative member when Liz Truss was leader, she probably won't."
His response drew criticism from Conservative former foreign secretary James Cleverly, who tweeted afterwards: "After failing to answer any of Kemi's (Badenoch) questions, he basically said to Sarah Pochin that he didn't like her question, so 'wasn't going to engage with it'. Refusing to answer MPs' questions isn't an option as a government minister."
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