Reform UK Reports 75% Cut in Farage Security, Donors Fund Protection

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's taxpayer-funded security detail has been cut by 75%, a decision described by party officials as inexplicable and leading to donors stepping in to cover his protection. Zia Yusuf, Reform UK's head of policy, accused Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his cabinet of orchestrating a campaign of incitement to violence against Farage, who is viewed as a political threat and a favorite to be the next Prime Minister. Yusuf highlighted social media threats and alleged assassination calls against Farage, linking the security downgrade to a broader political vilification amid Labour's accusations of racism against Reform UK's policies and supporters. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has denied labeling Farage or his supporters as racist but criticized Reform's immigration policies, which a YouGov survey indicated substantial portions of the public perceive as racist. The controversy follows heightened tensions at the Labour Party conference, where Starmer called Reform's policies immoral, fueling the ongoing political dispute. Parliamentary security authorities have not commented on the specifics, but the situation has intensified scrutiny over the protection of political figures amid rising political violence concerns.