Zia Yusuf furiously threatens Serco after company seems to rule out involvement in Reform’s deportation plans
The company ruled out being involved in an US-style ICE deportation campaign under a Reform government
Reform’s home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf has threatened to strip outsourcing giant Serco of all of its government contracts after the company reportedly ruled out being involved in an ICE-style deportation campaign.
Reform has said it would set up a US-style Immigration, Customs and Enforcement unit to carry out up to 288,000 deportations per year.
The Telegraph reported that Serco, which runs asylum housing and deportation centres and has been criticised by refugee charities for providing substandard accommodation, is understood to have ruled out bidding for mass deportation contracts.
As the article pointed out, without the private sector’s support, Reform’s deportation plans will fall flat.
Referring to the article, Yusuf wrote a furious letter and a post on X stating that Serco had taken the “extraordinary position” of opposing Reform’s deportation plans.
Yusuf went on to claim that “the only reasonable interpretation of Serco’s position is that it now believes itself to be an alternative power base to the duly elected government of the United Kingdom, and is willing to act contrary to the interests of the British electorate”.
He added: “If this were true, I am sure you appreciate a Reform government would be left with no choice but to view Serco as a threat to national security.”
In a statement, Serco said it “does not take political positions, nor do we comment on the policy programmes of political parties”.
Responding to Yusuf’s remarks, Times columnist Fraser Nelson wrote on X: “Another evolution in Reform; threatening companies who won’t do what they want.
“Serco – like any company or any person – is at liberty not to accept a contract from the government for any reason.”
Another X user commented on the fact that Yusuf is not an elected politician, nor is Reform in government, yet he is already threatening a company.
The user wrote: “‘I have given Serco until 6pm to clarify their position.’ Who died and made you God? You are not even an elected representative.”
This isn’t the first time Yusuf has threatened an organisation for appearing to disagree with Reform.
In February, Yusuf said a Reform government would cut Bangor University’s £30 million a year in state funding after its debating society refused to allow Reform MP Sarah Pochin to speak at one of its events.
Francesca O’Brien, a Reform member of the Senedd, later said that Reform wouldn’t pull Bangor’s funding, “because universities play a vital part in our society”.
Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward
Left Foot Forward doesn't have the backing of big business or billionaires. We rely on the kind and generous support of ordinary people like you.
You can support hard-hitting journalism that holds the right to account, provides a forum for debate among progressives, and covers the stories the rest of the media ignore. Donate today.
Donate today
