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Lee Anderson defects to Reform

(Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson has this morning defected to Reform UK. Party leader Richard Tice made the announcement at a London press conference this morning, where he praised Anderson as a ‘champion of the red wall’ and told reporters: ‘We want to replace the Tories as the main alternative to Starmergeddon.’

GB News, which employs Anderson and hosts his show ‘Real World’, tipped him to defect to Reform earlier today. The move will give Tice’s party its first MP ahead of the upcoming election and may cause more Tory upset after polling on Friday put their vote share at 18 per cent — only 5 per cent ahead of Reform.

It had long been speculated that Lee Anderson may defect to the right-wing party. The red wall Rottweiler was suspended by Sunak two weeks ago after he made controversial remarks on GB News about London mayor Sadiq Khan — and refused to apologise.

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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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