Robert Jenrick accuses Zia Yusuf in antisemitic tweet row
Mr Yusuf has apologised for the incident, which comes after an anonymous X user posted a video that appeared to show Mr Yusuf liking a tweet attacking Mr Jenrick's wife, who is Jewish.
One of the team who post to my X account accidentally pressed like on an awful antisemitic tweet earlier today.
I apologise for this.
The post also refers to 'brown savages', and is equally racist against me. Clearly it was not intentional.
The amount of antisemitism and…
— Zia Yusuf (@ZiaYusufUK) July 18, 2025
Since last summer, likes on X have been privatised, so that only the liker and the poster can see them, rather than a wider audience.
In a message posted on X on Friday, Mr Yusuf said: 'One of the team who post to my X account accidentally pressed like on an awful antisemitic tweet earlier today.
'I apologise for this.'
Mr Yusuf said the post in question is 'equally racist against me' and contains reference to 'brown savages'.
I call bullshit.
You've spent the last 48 hours calling me a 'traitor' for not drawing attention to a leaked spreadsheet with our special forces and MI6 officers' names on.
But we're meant to believe this tweet attacking me as a traitor for having a Jewish wife & family was… https://t.co/2vhitrKDCL
— Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) July 18, 2025
'The amount of antisemitism and racism on this platform is spiralling out of control, and I hope that changes soon,' he added.
Mr Jenrick called the apology 'bullshit'.
'The mask has slipped,' he added.
'Likes are private. You thought nobody would ever know. Unfortunately for you, the racist account who posted the tweet and could see the likes exposed you.
Well said, Rob. Well said indeed. https://t.co/y03TsueaDF
— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) July 18, 2025
'Reform should give you the boot.'
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Mr Jenrick's message was 'well said'.
Mr Yusuf is head of Reform's initiative to drive down local public spending, based on the US's department of government efficiency, also known as Doge.
He was given the position after he quit as party chairman.
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