Former Reform UK co-deputy leader Ben Habib has revealed why he left Reform UK in a frank interview.
The revelation comes days after he announced his decision to leave the insurgent party following months of speculation.
Nigel Farage described Ben Habib’s shock departure as a “champagne moment” and “absolute icing on the cake” for his party in an exclusive interview on GB News last week.
The Reform leader claims his relationship with Habib soured after he failed to win a seat at the General Election.
Despite his efforts and a previous strong showing in a by-election where he secured 13 per cent of the vote, Habib came third with 21.5 per cent of the vote – not enough to secure the seat
This resulted in changes to Reform’s deputy leadership structure.
“I said, Ben, David [Bull], I’m really sorry, but I want to make Richard Tice the deputy because he’s in the House of Commons,” Farage told GB News.
Farage expressed strong feelings about Habib’s subsequent behaviour following the leadership changes.
“He’s gone very bitter, very twisted. It’s very sad,” he claimed.
Nigel Farage described Ben Habib’s shock departure as a ‘champagne moment’ for Reform
GB NEWS
The Reform UK leader was unequivocal about his feelings regarding Habib’s departure from the party, telling GB News: “The fact that he’s walked away, frankly, is a huge relief.”
Habib has now responded to these allegations in a tell-all interview, revealing the “final straw” that ultimately led to him leaving the party.
He told Brexit Facts4EU.Org: “I heard that I was being banned, I was being silenced. I thought, well, you know, enough is enough. If they don’t want me to speak, if I’m not even allowed to speak to the party, then you know, it’s time I left. So no doubt it was a champagne moment for Nigel, but it wasn’t one for me.”
He added: “The final straw for me for leaving the party was my being banned from by the HQ of Reform, from meeting grassroots members of so-called members – subscribers, promoters, campaigners – across the country.”
Habib also contests Farage’s assertion that “Brexit’s done”, claiming that “it’s not done”.
His comments come as it was revealed that Britain has set aside more than £10billion for future payments to the EU, despite having officially left the bloc several years ago.
The former co-deputy leader also stresses that severing the ties with the party is not “personal”, and he challenges Farage to find evidence to the contrary.
He said: “I challenge him [Farage] to find any attacks I’ve made on him personally. Yes, I have attacked his position on Northern Ireland. I’ve attacked his position on Brexit. I’ve attacked his acceptance of the rapid demographic change in the country.
“I think mass deportations should take place. And we’ve got some other ideas, other ideological differences. And I disagree with him on the constitution of the party, seemingly, but it’s not personal.”
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Farage claimed the party was a “shambles” when he took the helmPAIt comes as Farage announced Jenkyns will stand as the party’s candidate in the Greater Lincolnshire mayoral election next May.
“I’m politically aligned with them”, Jenkyns told GB News, adding she had “always believed in Nigel”.
Farage praised her as “extraordinary”, saying she has “every chance of winning” the mayoral seat.