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'Loyalty For Sale': Nadhim Zahawi Accused Of 'Begging' For Tory Peerage Before Defecting To Reform

'Loyalty For Sale': Nadhim Zahawi Accused Of 'Begging' For Tory Peerage Before Defecting To Reform

Nadhim Zahawi has defected to Reform UK from he Tories. Nadhim Zahawi has been accused of “begging” Kemi Badenoch for a peerage just weeks before defecting from the Tories to Reform UK . Conservative sources told HuffPost UK the former chancellor had asked to join the Lords “several times”, but been refused. “Given he was sacked for his dodgy tax affairs, this was never going to happen,” a source said. “His defection tells you everything you need to know about Reform being a repository for disgraced politicians.” Zahawi was sacked as Tory chairman in 2023 after breaking the ministerial code by failing to declare that he was being investigated by HMRC over his tax affairs. A Reform spokesman said: “Nadhim did not beg for a peerage as they claim – Kemi called him for advice on how to save the party and he decided to join the only party he feels can save Britain.” Zahawi was unveiled as Reform’s 22nd Tory defector at a press conference alongside Nigel Farage on Monday morning. He said: “Britain needs Nigel Farage as prime minister.” However, within minutes it emerged that Zahawi had made a series of criticisms of Farage in the past. In a post directed at Farage on Twitter in 2015, the then Tory MP said: “I’m not British Born Mr Nigel Farage, I am as British as u r. “Yr comments r offensive&racist. I wld b frightened 2live in country run by U.” Meanwhile, after Zahawi became chancellor in July 2022, Farage said : “I thought Zahawi had principles. Tonight we learn, he’s just about climbing that greasy pole.” A Conservative spokesperson said: “Reform is fast becoming the party of has-been politicians looking for their next gravy train. “Their latest recruit used to say he’d be ‘frightened to live in a country’ run by Nigel Farage, which shows the level of loyalty for sale.” Labour chair Anna Turley said: “This confirms what we already knew: Reform UK has no shame. Nadhim Zahawi is a discredited and disgraced politician who will be forever tied to the Tories’ shameful record of failure in government. “Zahawi himself has previously repeatedly lambasted his new boss over his divisive and extreme rhetoric - and Farage has said that Zahawi has no principles and is only interested in climbing the greasy pole. “This shameless scurry of yet another failed Tory over to Reform will tell people everything they need to know about both of them.” Related... Nadhim Zahawi Once Said He Would Be 'Frightened' To Live In Farage's UK Former Tory Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi Defects To Reform In Major Win For Nigel Farage