Gasps as BBC Question Time guest challenges Reform UK's Zia Yusuf on immigration

Members of the audience on Question Time were heard gasping - and later applauding - after a guest challenged a Reform UK politician on immigration.

The man in the audience asked Zia Yusuf, Reform UK's head of policy, not to use the word "immigration" in any answers throughout the programme. However, Mr Yusuf admitted he was unable to do this and his response, to a point around branded Robert Jenrick branding Handsworth, Birmingham "a slum, was further challenged by the panel.

When Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party, cut in accusing Mr Yusuf of "spreading misinformation and fear", the audience clapped and cheered warmly. Mr Polanski said: "Zia, do you ever think it (immigration) is the number one problem because you spend a lot of time spreading misinformation and fear?" He tried to continue his point - but Mr Yusuf interrupted.

The feisty exchange happened early on during Thursday night's Question Time from Shrewsbury, Shropshire, which opened with a discussion around Mr Jenrick's remarks made at a Conservative Association dinner. This led to fury in the Handsworth community yesterday, we reported.

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The audience member addressed Mr Yusuf, stating: "The vast majority of people in this country live very happily, and very peacefully together. The Tories have done a terrible job. One other thing that Mr Jenrick said is that 'Handsworth is a slum', it is slum possible due to 14 years of terrible Tory rule in this country.

"But Mr Yusuf tonight you will say everything is about immigration. I challenge not to use the word 'immigration' tonight because not everything in this country is the problem of immigration. There are problems in this country, but it is not just immigration."

It was at the end of this address members of the audience could be heard gasping and chuckling. Some nodded their heads in agreement. Despite the summons, Mr Yusuf quickly confessed he would make points about immigration during the show.

"I am afraid I am going to mention immigration because, according to the latest YouGov poll, it is the number one issue - the number one issue - for ordinary British people, for voters across this country. Of course, it is not the only issue, I couldn't agree with you on that more," the Reform UK politician, whose parents migrated from Sri Lanka to the UK in the 1980s, said.

"It is absolutely true there has been far too much mass immigration in this country. It has been to the detriment of this country. The Tories are most culpable for that but I'm afraid the Labour government are frankly pouring gasoline on that problem."

Mr Polanski, making his Question Time debut, then confronted Mr Yusuf. The applause in the crowd in Shrewsbury followed, as did a showdown between the two politicians before host Fiona Bruce had to step in to bring the lively debate to a conclusion. A discussion about Donald Trump's involvement in the Israel and Hamas agreement followed, as the leader of Hamas in Gaza yesterday announced the war is "completely over".