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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Ben Quinn and Pippa Crerar

Nadhim Zahawi failed in bid for peerage from Tories before Reform defection, sources say

Nadhim Zahawi.
Nadhim Zahawi said he was motivated to defect by high taxes and censorship. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Nadhim Zahawi was rejected for a peerage by the Conservatives just weeks before he defected to Reform UK, Tory sources have told the Guardian.

The former chancellor asked Kemi Badenoch’s top team for a seat in the House of Lords but was rebuffed because he had been sacked as Tory chair in 2023 over his tax affairs.

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