Politics · United Kingdom · 2 hrs ago
Tories accuse Farage ally of racist insult against Kemi Badenoch
Nigel Farage ally Raheem Kassam insulted Kemi Badenoch in posts on X, calling the Conservative leader a “Nigerian scammer.”
The Conservatives accused Kassam of making racist remarks and urged Farage to clarify his role in Reform UK.
Reform denies Kassam has a formal role, although he was recently at the party’s London headquarters and has advised Farage for years.
The dispute follows an undercover investigation that recorded Reform councillors and candidates making racist remarks, raising questions about the party’s candidate-vetting process.
Reform said there is no room for racism in the party.
Kassam denied wrongdoing and said Badenoch was a compulsive liar.
The Conservatives are seeking answers about whether Kassam is paid or influences Reform’s communications and strategy; the party has not provided those details here.
Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake accused Nigel Farage ally Raheem Kassam of making racist remarks about Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.
Kassam called Badenoch a “Nigerian scammer” in a post on X.
The Conservatives called on Farage to clarify Kassam’s role in Reform UK.
Reform says Kassam has no formal role in the party, though he was recently at its London headquarters.
Kassam denied wrongdoing and said Badenoch was a “compulsive liar.”
- Who
- Raheem Kassam, an ally of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.
- What
- Kassam called Badenoch a “Nigerian scammer” in a post on X. The Conservatives accused him of making racist remarks.
- When
- The posts were reported on Saturday, 17 October 2026.
- Where
- On X; Kassam was also reported to have been at Reform UK’s London headquarters the previous week.
- Why
- The Conservatives said Kassam’s remarks raised questions about his role and influence in Reform UK.
Conservatives
Raheem Kassam
Racism
Conservatives
Hollinrake accused Kassam of making racist slurs against Badenoch.
Raheem Kassam
Kassam denied wrongdoing and said he did not think it was racist to call him Indian.
Kassam’s role in Reform UK
Conservatives
The Conservatives called on Farage to clarify whether Kassam has a paid or informal role and influence over party strategy.
Raheem Kassam
Kassam’s friend said he had no intention of staying in London long term; Reform denies he has a formal role.
An undercover ITV sting found Reform councillors and candidates expressing racist views and using offensive language.
Kassam posted on X calling Badenoch a “Nigerian scammer.
Hollinrake called on Farage to clarify Kassam’s role in Reform UK.
- Kassam’s post
- Called Badenoch a “Nigerian scammer
- Conservative chairman
- Kevin Hollinrake
- Reform UK leader
- Nigel Farage
- Kassam’s party status
- Reform says he has no formal role
- Publication date
- 18 October 2026
What people are saying
It's time for Mr Farage to come clean about precisely what role Raheem Kassam has within Reform.
There is no room for racism in Reform UK.
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.