Tories Accuse Farage Ally of Racist Slurs Against Badenoch

The Conservative Party has intensified its attacks on Reform UK over alleged racism, following remarks made by Raheem Kassam, a long-standing adviser to Reform leader Nigel Farage, who referred to Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch as a "Nigerian scammer." Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake accused Mr. Kassam of "launching racist slurs" against Ms. Badenoch, who is the leader of the House of Commons and a prominent figure in the Conservative Party.

In posts on the social media platform X, Mr. Kassam wrote, "How are people still falling for this Nigerian scammer? Don't give her your credit card number and bank account details!" He also questioned, "So Kemi, tell us the truth. Are you a walking gaffe or an illegal immigrant?" and deliberately used her full name, Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke Badenoch.

The Tories have called on Mr. Farage to "come clean" about Mr. Kassam's exact role within Reform UK. Mr. Kassam has been closely associated with Mr. Farage for over a decade, having previously served as his chief of staff when Mr. Farage led the UK Independence Party (Ukip). Although Mr. Kassam was reportedly present at Reform's London headquarters as recently as last week, the party has stated he holds no formal position.

These comments from Mr. Kassam come amid broader accusations that Reform UK is pursuing an "ethno-nationalist" strategy, with some MPs suggesting that only white individuals can be truly English. Ms. Badenoch has seen a rise in public support, particularly after she used her speech at the Conservative conference to criticize Reform MPs for echoing such sentiments.

Last week, Reform UK faced scrutiny over its candidate vetting processes after an undercover investigation by ITV revealed that several councillors and candidates had expressed racist views and used offensive language. A Reform UK spokesperson stated at the time, "There is no room for racism in Reform UK."

Mr. Hollinrake questioned Reform UK's stance on racism, asking, "It's time for Mr. Farage to come clean about precisely what role Raheem Kassam has within Reform. Does he have a paid position? Is he acting as an informal advisor? What influence does he have over Reform's communications and wider political strategy?" He added, "Reform say there is no room for racism inside their party. How does that square with the fact Mr. Kassam still seems to retain close ties to Mr. Farage, while simultaneously launching racist slurs against the Leader of the Opposition?"

Mr. Kassam has denied any wrongdoing, accusing Mr. Hollinrake of "hurling woke, Leftist terms." He stated, "I'm Indian, but I don't think it is racist to call me Indian. Kemi is a compulsive liar. She is, without doubt, a scammer."

Sources close to Mr. Kassam have suggested that Tory MPs recently visited his restaurant in Washington D.C. and invited him to collaborate with them, implying that his current criticism of the Conservatives stems from a refusal to work with them. A Reform insider echoed this, stating that Tory MPs had dined at his restaurant last year and asked him to return to work with them, and that they were now attacking him because he refused.

A Tory source, however, has strongly denied this claim.

Mr. Kassam has also criticized a mock-up of the Bayeux Tapestry created by the Tories for their party conference, which parodied Labour figures. He complained that the embroidery included "their Nigerian leader, Olukemi Badenoch," calling it "Netflix-tier bad."

Ms. Badenoch's approval ratings reportedly increased after she stated she did not want to live in a nation where her mixed-race children's Englishness was debated. The surge in support among Reform voters was noted as a significant jump from 40 percent to 57 percent.

Meanwhile, Mr. Farage has reportedly cautioned his party colleagues against drawing rigid lines around the definition of Englishness, engaging in exchanges with Suella Braverman after she suggested her own English identity was questionable due to her parents being born abroad.