Lib Dem MP slammed for urging terrorism probe into Reform's Zia Yusuf

Liberal Democrat MP Mike Martin has been criticised and mocked for urging a terror probe into Zia Yusuf, the head of Reform UK's department of government efficiency.

Yusuf said on Wednesday it would be "quite reasonable" to pay the Taliban to take back deported Afghans, as part of the party's new plans to deport 600,000 illegal migrants from Britain within five years, if they win power in 2029.

Party leader Nigel Farage announced on Wednesday that a Reform government would negotiate returns agreements with countries including Iran, Eritrea and Afghanistan, which is governed by the Taliban.

The Telegraph reported that a senior Taliban official based in Kabul said: "We will not take money to accept our own people, but we welcome aid to support newcomers, since there are challenges in accommodating and feeding those returning from Iran and Pakistan."

One man was particularly unimpressed: the Liberal Democrat MP for Tunbridge Wells, Mike Martin.

Martin, who sits on parliament's defence select committee, took to social media platform X to denounce what he labelled Reform's "financing terrorists" plan, and noted that he had fought the Taliban when he was serving in the British armed forces.

On Wednesday evening Martin published a letter he had written to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper entitled "Request for an investigation into a possible offence under the Terrorism Act 2000".

Section 12(1) of the act, his letter noted, makes it a crime to invite support for a proscribed terrorist organisation.

'Completely insane letter'

"The public suggestion of a policy to make payments to the Taliban government, which would undoubtedly result in funds reaching individuals and organisations proscribed as terrorists by the United Kingdom, may constitute an offence," Martin said.

He asked the home secretary to investigate whether Yusuf's statements violate the Terrorism Act, "and if deemed appropriate, refer the matter to the relevant authorities for further investigation and action".

Yusuf initially responded on X with a laughing emoji.

Lmao 🤣 https://t.co/mFJIfmJKUg

— Zia Yusuf (@ZiaYusufUK) August 27, 2025

Matters took another turn when Martin threatened to sue Yusuf after he accused the Tunbridge Wells MP of calling "for me to be locked up under terrorism charges for proposing an alternative policy position".

Martin said Yusuf's claim was inaccurate, and warned that if Yusuf did not take his post down and "make a £100 donation to a charity of my choice", he would "be finding some lawyers".

Prominent left-wing journalist Aaron Bastani commented that Martin "wants Zia Yusuf investigated under the very same legislation that is being used to arrest people who hold signs saying ‘I support Palestine Action’. 

"The 2000 Terrorism Act is absurd and illiberal. Obviously someone should be able to say what Yusuf did."

Owen Jones, another prominent left-wing journalist and commentator, remarked: "What a completely insane letter to send".

'This is clearly lawfare'

Reform councillor Stuart Davies noted that the UK government has given over £480m in humanitarian and development assistance to Afghanistan.

Conservative councillor Richard Davies said: "This is clearly lawfare - an attempt to shut down legitimate debate by threatening legal action."

Perhaps awkwardly for Martin, after Yusuf's initial comments, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesperson indicated the Labour government would not rule out a returns agreement with Afghanistan, saying: "We’re not going to take anything off the table."

The Conservative Party's chair, Kevin Hollinrake, also told Times Radio his party would "potentially" be willing to strike a deal with the Taliban to return migrants.

The Taliban, an armed group and political movement, first took power in Afghanistan in the 1990s, and was accused by the United States of harbouring fighters belonging to al-Qaeda after the 9/11 attacks.

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In late 2001, the US and its close allies invaded Afghanistan, which has remained in a state of turmoil and instability ever since. 

More than 70,000 Afghan and Pakistani civilians are estimated to have died as a direct result of the war, and tens of thousands more have fled the two countries.

In 2021, the Taliban seized power again and the US withdrew from Afghanistan.

The UK's Home Office said at the time that "no one found to be at legitimate risk of persecution or serious harm will be expected to return to their country of origin".

Since then, nine Afghans have been deported to Afghanistan from Britain.

Reform takes a different approach. Its new deportation plan would involve a new law barring anyone from claiming asylum, and mandating that the government deports migrants who arrived illegally.

Asked on Tuesday about the risk of deported Afghans being killed or tortured, Farage said: "It bothers me, but what really bothers me is what is happening on the streets of our country. What really bothers me is what is happening to British citizens."

Meanwhile, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn - an independent MP and key figure in the establishment of a new, as yet unnamed left-wing party - said on Wednesday: "I am sickened by the relentless demonisation of refugees.

"No refugee underfunded a school. No refugee closed a hospital. No refugee took away support from the sick and disabled. 

"We need solutions, not scapegoats. Stop blaming refugees and tax the rich instead!"