Reform Minister Zia Yusuf has been accused by Labour Minister Robert Jenrick of "straightforward racism" over a tweet about a potential Labour candidate in a London by-election. According to Yusuf, the candidate's foreign birth is a legitimate question regarding her loyalties to the UK. The Reform politician claimed it was not about where she was from, but rather whether she would prioritize British interests. Jenrick denied that his colleague's comments were racist and suggested questioning the loyalty of foreign-born candidates is acceptable.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-06,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Zia Yusuf, a Reform UK politician, has been accused of making a racist comment about Laila Cunningham, the Labour party's front-runner for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election. On social media, Yusuf said that Cunningham, who is the leader of Camden council, was "born in Somalia", implying that she is not British. This statement was widely criticized as "straightforward racism" by Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, and other senior Reform UK figures. Cunningham, who was born to Egyptian immigrant parents, said she didn't understand what Yusuf meant by the comment and called it a "nasty tweet". The incident has sparked controversy within the Reform party.
Written for “Racism Accusations in Politics” on 2026-09-07,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning score -0.35 for article 5248 (high confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-09-06
Mr Yusuf wrote on X last week: “The front runner being foisted on the people of Holborn by Labour to replace the former Prime Minister Keir Starmer in our Parliament was born in Somalia.
asserted
runner → write → Somalia
“Do you understand what’s happening?”
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what → understand → ?
He told Sky News: “Pretty straightforward racism, isn’t it?”
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it → tell → racism
Mr Reynolds added that the potential Labour candidate had “spent decades in this country” and made a “huge contribution to her local community”.
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candidate → add → community
Reform politicians have also widely condemned the “nasty” tweet.
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politicians → condemn → tweet
Laila Cunningham, the party’s candidate for Mayor of London and the daughter of immigrants from Egypt, told the Standard: “I don't know what he meant by that comment.
asserted
he → tell → comment
I read it a few times.
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I → read → it
“I didn't understand what he meant by that comment.
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he → understand → comment
Of course, you know, that woman is British.
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woman → know → ?
I didn't understand what he meant by that.”
asserted
he → understand → that
She told Times Radio: “It was a nasty tweet.
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It → tell → Radio
I wish he closed down his Twitter account.”
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he → wish → account
Robert Jenrick, Reform’s economic spokesman, denied his colleague’s comments were racist and suggested it was legitimate to question the loyalties of foreign-born candidates.
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“I don’t know this person, so I’m not here to cast aspersions upon her, but I do want people to sit in our Parliament who are entirely committed to our country,” Mr Jenrick said.
uncertain
Jenrick → deny → country
I would just say, and this is the point I think Zia was making, that is not everyone sadly in our current House of Commons…
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that → say → Commons
“I want people who are solely interested in putting the interests of our country first.”
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who → want → country
He continued: “It’s not about whether she’s from Somalia or the United States or wherever.
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she → continue → Somalia
“I’m saying that if you weren’t born in this country and you stand for Parliament, it’s a legitimate question to ask: Where are your loyalties?
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loyalties → say → Parliament
Are you going to put the interests of Britain first?”
asserted
you → go → Britain
