Key allies of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage have accused the BBC of “planting” illegal migrants in the audience of a special immigration edition of Question Time broadcast from Dover last night. Richard Tice , the party’s deputy leader, and Zia Yusuf, its head of policy and a prominent Farage confidant, led the furious backlash after Thursday’s programme, claiming the corporation deliberately stacked the audience with small-boat arrivals to undermine Reform’s anti-immigration message.

Taking to X immediately after the broadcast, Mr Yusuf posted a string of clips and accusations that rapidly went viral. He said: “There were literally multiple people who arrived in this country illegally by boat asking questions on tonight’s Question Time Immigration Special!”

Zia Yusuf clashes wit

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