'That's your narrative': Farage bites back at suggestion he doesn't work well in teams
Nigel Farage has defended his ability to work well with colleagues, following the high-profile resignation of Reform UK's chairman.
Zia Yusuf quit on Thursday, following a row over banning burkas - which is not the party's policy, but was raised by one of its five MPs.
Yusuf has since rejoined the party to lead cost-cutting initiatives at the councils under its control.
Is the cult of Farage a problem for his parties?
Farage was asked by our political correspondent Tamara Cohen if he sees it as his fault that Reform and his previous parties, such as the Brexit Party and UKIP, have had a string of high-profile spats and resignations.
"That's your narrative," Farage responded, suggesting "the evidence is actually very different".
He said he's still working with some people he first met 25 years ago, and others he employed in the City "back in the 90s are still personal friends".
Only someone who "talks behind my back" and "betrays that trust" will get the silent treatment from him, he said. Any fallouts are the result of "people who think they're bigger and better than me".
Reform needs a 'broad-based team'
Turning to Yusuf's resignation, Farage said he "wasn't exactly chuffed" but the ex-chairman had apologised, been forgiven, and "we move on".
A suddenly more contrite Farage added: "I understand the basis of the question. What I have to do, as we head towards the next general election, is show I'm able to put together a broad-based team, and it is about much more than me.
"I believe we're building that already, and I intend to go on doing so."