The thought of Sagal Abdi-Wali, a hijabi, Somali-born Muslim and former child refugee, becoming an MP has sparked anger among figures on the right.

Abdi-Wali, the leader of Camden Council, is reportedly a favourite to stand for Labour in Holborn and St Pancras after former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer resigned as the constituency’s MP.

And that prospect seems to have triggered several figures online, with the issue attracting wider attention after Reform UK figure Zia Yusuf posted about Abdi-Wali on X.

Yusuf – whose parents themselves are immigrants – said on X: “The front runner being foisted on the people of Holborn by Labour to replace the former Prime Minister Keir Starmer in our Parliament was born in Somalia.

“Do you understand what’s happening?”

Asked about Yusuf’s post on Sky News’ Sunday Morning programme, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “Pretty straightforward racism, isn’t it? There’s a potential candidate referenced there; spent decades in this country, huge contribution to her local community, so I think that speaks for itself.”

When asked whether Yusuf’s post was racist, Reform’s economic spokesman Robert Jenrick told the programme: “No.”

“Maybe she is someone who is entirely patriotic and supportive of this country. I would just say, and this is the point I think Zia was making, that is not everyone sadly in our current House of Commons,” he added.

But Yusuf’s comments appear to have gone too far for even some within Reform.

“It was a nasty tweet,” Reform’s Nadine Dorries told Times Radio. “Zia Yusuf is a brilliant man, and he’s a genius actually, and he’s an incredible communicator. I wish he closed down his Twitter account.”

Reform’s Laila Cunningham, whose parents are Egyptian immigrants, also questioned Yusuf’s comments.

“I don’t know what he meant by that comment. I read it a few times,” she told the Standard.

“Of course, you know, that woman is British. She’s the leader of Camden council. I didn’t understand what he meant by that.”

Abdi-Wali grew up in Camden and has spent more than a decade volunteering and serving as a trustee for local charities. She has also been a school governor at two schools and worked as a local government officer at Camden Council.

Labour is expected to announce its candidate for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election by Wednesday.

Support for Abdi-Wali

On social media, far-right figures like Tommy Robinson have also made their thoughts known about Abdi-Wali potentially standing.

Others have come to her defence, challenging some of the xenophobic or inappropriate comments about her background and highlighting her contribution to society.

Image credit: Camden Labour website