Reform UK’s freshly appointed chairman Dr David Bull once publicly branded party leader Nigel Farage “prejudiced” and an “unhelpful idiot” – and now the internet’s resurfaced the receipts.
The awkward post, unearthed just hours after Bull was announced as Zia Yusuf’s replacement, dates back to 2014 – and it hasn’t aged quietly.
🗣️ The post they hoped we’d forget
Bull, who trained as a doctor and once served as a Brexit Party MEP, made the comments in response to Farage’s infamous suggestion that HIV-positive migrants should be barred from receiving NHS treatment.
At the time, Farage said:
“I do not think people with life-threatening diseases should be treated by our National Health Service. It’s not a global health service.”
Bull wasn’t having it. Posting on X (then Twitter), he wrote:
“Nigel Farage’s comments are ill-judged, prejudiced and dangerous. HIV can affect anyone regardless of sex, race and class.”
He followed up with: “#idiot #unhelpful”
🤡 Past clashes with Farage and Trump
It’s not just Farage who’s caught heat from Bull. In 2017, he called Donald Trump a “fool” and described his inauguration speech as “awful”.
He also criticised Trump’s attacks on the Affordable Care Act, which aimed to roll back healthcare coverage for millions of Americans.
Awkwardly, Trump is a long-time ally of Farage, who once addressed a Trump rally as a “guest of honour”.
🧃 Now he’s chairman?
Despite all that, Bull’s past comments were seemingly brushed aside as Zia Yusuf announced his replacement this week, calling Bull “an incredible communicator” who’s “universally loved across the party”.
Bull has held various senior roles within Reform UK and its Brexit Party predecessor, including as MEP, deputy leader, and co-deputy leader between 2021 and 2024.
🔄 Party in flux
Bull’s appointment follows Yusuf’s surprise resignation last week – triggered by his criticism of a Reform MP who called for a national burka ban. Yusuf then rejoined the party just 48 hours later, now taking on a new role as head of the Elon Musk-inspired “UK DOGE” department for government efficiency.
Yes, really.
Reform UK declined to comment on Bull’s historic posts or Yusuf’s whirlwind resignation and reappointment.
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