Nigel Farage at the Reform conference in Birmingham (Image: Getty)
Nigel Farage has dropped a heavy hint he could resign as Reform UK leader and make way for Home Affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf, amid growing rumours that he could quit politics.
Mr Farage said he would “recognise” demands for him to stand aside, if party activists believed Mr Yusuf could do a better job.
He also admitted having “some very thoughful moments” after family members begged him to leave politics, following threats to his safety and allegations about his finances.
Mr Farage was responding to ITV journalist Robert Peston, who asked about reports that Mr Yusuf wants the leadership role for himself.
He said: “Do you know what? He’s not the first in politics, is he, he’s not the first in politics to have ambition.
“And by the way, he’s a very, very talented communicator.”
Referring to Reform activists gathered at the party conference in Birmingham, Mr Farage said: “If these thousands of people out there would prefer Zia or someone else to me. Do you know what I’d recognise that.”
Mr Farage also revealed that family members had urged him to walk away.
He said: “It’s 34 years since I first stood in a by-election and got involved in politics, and all the way through that my family have always supported me.
“Many of them agree with my politics, one or two take a different view, but they’ve always supported me all the way through until this summer.
“Suddenly, most of my family say, you know, give it up, walk away. And the impact on them is horrific.”
He added: “So, I have had, I’ll be honest, you know when your own family start to turn on you because of what you do, some very thoughtful moments. Very, very thoughtful moments.”
But asked if he would lead Reform into the next general election, he said: “Oh yes, no question about that.”
Nigel Farage in Birmingham at the Reform conference (Image: Getty)
The Reform leader is facing a Parliamentary inquiry into reports that he failed to declare a £5m gift, which critics say he should have included in the official register of MPs’ interests.
He has spoken of his shock following the murder of Reform politician Ann Widdecombe in July, and has faced threats to his own safety. This week he was hit by a fresh finance row after a report by Channel 4 News appeared to show senior Reform figures discussing how to disguise donations from foreign sources. It led to the suspension of his closest aide, Dan Jukes, and policy chief James Orr.
Mr Farage said: “What happened was injudicious at best. What was said was injudicious at best. It’s subject to an investigation, but I would also say it’s not just us.”