Bitter Reform infighting begins as Nigel Farage effectively sacks deputy Ben Habib replacing him with Richard Tice, and makes Lee Anderson 'chief whip' - with ousted ally saying he is 'considering his position' in the party
Tensions surfaced in Reform today after Nigel Farage effectively sacked his deputy Ben Habib.
Mr Farage - who was formally sworn in as an MP this morning - has announced a new 'leadership team', making made Richard Tice his deputy.
Lee Anderson, another of the five elected for the party on July 4, becomes Chief Whip, and millionaire donor Zia Yusuf chairman of the outfit.
But Mr Habib told MailOnline he was 'considering his position' in Reform after being 'informed' by Mr Farage that he no longer had a job.
'I am considering my position more generally in light of this change,' he said.
'I have long held concerns about the control of the party and the decision making processes.
'I will reflect on all of this. The key for me is that Reform UK stays true to the promises made to the British people.
'The movement we have created does not belong to us, it belongs to the people. We are obliged and indebted to the British people.'
Mr Farage said: 'These appointments are the first step to ensure that Reform UK is fit and ready to take forward its positive message.
'I have no doubt that we will professionalise the party and change politics for good.'
However, the latest manoeuvres will raise concerns about Reform being riven by the same kind of infighting that often blighted Ukip.
One veteran of Mr Farage's previous political venture said Reform was 'the Nigel show', and predicted defections.
![Nigel Farage announced a new 'leadership team' for Reform as he was formally sworn in as an MP this morning](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/11/12/87198139-13623415-image-a-22_1720695816439.jpg)
Nigel Farage announced a new 'leadership team' for Reform as he was formally sworn in as an MP this morning
![Nigel Farage and his Reform MPs posed for cameras in Westminster this week after arriving for the start of the new term after their election breakthrough](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/11/11/87196709-0-image-a-9_1720693790815.jpg)
Nigel Farage and his Reform MPs posed for cameras in Westminster this week after arriving for the start of the new term after their election breakthrough
![Ben Habib told MailOnline he was 'considering his position' in Reform, after not being mentioned in the new line-up](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/11/11/87197307-0-image-a-10_1720693797200.jpg)
Ben Habib told MailOnline he was 'considering his position' in Reform, after not being mentioned in the new line-up
![Mr Habib said he had 'long held concerns about the control of the party and the decision making processes'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/11/11/87197959-13623415-image-a-21_1720695390781.jpg)
Mr Habib said he had 'long held concerns about the control of the party and the decision making processes'
Mr Anderson, who switched from the Tories earlier this year, repeated his view that the 'fox is in the henhouse' after Reform's advance at the election.
'Using my experience of the twists and turns of Parliamentary life and procedure to ensure that our team is focussed and delivers for our constituency and the more than 4 million voters will be a great honour and pleasure.'
Mr Yusuf, who earned an estimated £31million from selling his luxury concierge app Velocity Black last year, was a vocal supporter of Reform's immigration policy as well as being a party donor.
He said: 'It is an honour to be appointed Chairman of Reform UK. Against all odds, under Nigel Farage's leadership, our people's movement won four million votes, elected five MPs with 98 second places.
'This is just the beginning. The important work of professionalising the party, building national infrastructure and continuing to grow membership has already begun.
'I will bring all my expertise, energy and passion to the role to ensure we achieve our mission of returning Great Britain to greatness.'
Mr Tice said he was 'delighted' at Mr Yusuf's appointment.
He said: 'We plan to expand our operation and infrastructure at pace from here, and having someone of Zia's experience and highly successful track record is fantastic news.'
Reform - which is unusual for political parties in being majority-owned by Mr Farage - already had a dramatic overhaul just before the election.
As he dropped the bombshell that he was standing for Parliament Mr Farage declared that he was taking over as leader from Mr Tice.
The former leader then took on the role as chairman.
Mr Farage used his first intervention in the Commons on Tuesday to take aim at ex-Speaker John Bercow.
Mr Farage used the confirmation session for re-elected Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle to take aim at his diminutive predecessor, who was a thorn in the side of the Leave side before he stepped down in 2019.
He hailed Sir Lindsay's reselection for the impartial role, saying he served with 'great neutrality ... in contrast to the little man who was there before you'.
And he also poked fun at the fact that he was entering the Commons at the eighth attempt.
Mr Farage said his party were 'the new kids on the block', adding: 'We have no experience in this Parliament whatsoever, even though some of us have tried many times over the years previously.'
The quintet of right-wingers posed for cameras in Westminster after arriving for the start of the new term after their election breakthrough.
![Mr Farage used the confirmation session for re-elected Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle to take aim at his diminutive predecessor (below), who was a thorn in the side of the Leave side before he stepped down in 2019.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/11/11/87114713-13623415-Mr_Farage_used_the_confirmation_session_for_re_elected_Speaker_S-a-20_1720694270352.jpg)
Mr Farage used the confirmation session for re-elected Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle to take aim at his diminutive predecessor (below), who was a thorn in the side of the Leave side before he stepped down in 2019.