Zia Yusuf has said he "certainly did not resign because I have any strong views about the burka itself" but felt blindsided by an MP's question to Starmer.

Zia Yusuf, who resigned as Reform UK chairman on Thursday, is to return to work for the party in a new role. Yusuf will lead what the party calls its "Doge team" – which is modelled on the Department of Government Efficiency set up by President Trump.

Mr Lowe blames Farage equally for what happened and has confirmed that he will not be seeking to rejoin Reform, after he was ousted over claims he harassed two women and Mr Yusuf reported him to the police for allegedly threatening him with violence. Police later dropped the case, and no charges were brought against Mr Lowe.