Reform UK and Tory MPs Clash Over Immigration Plans in Piddington

Reform UK's Zia Yusuf and Tory Chris Philp were speaking against converting a former military site into asylum accommodation in Piddington.

The pair clashed when sharing a platform in Piddington to oppose converting the former military site at MoD Bicester into asylum accommodation for more than 1,200 detained asylum seekers.

Philp told Yusuf to 'calm down' and accused him of 'cheap politics', an assertion Reform's home affairs spokesman dismissed.

Asylum centre on military base near Piddington approved by Housing Secretary Angela Rayner after a press conference led by Piddington Parish Council chairman Tim McNally took place on Friday.

The Home Office said this would allow it to continue developing the plan but that no final decision on the site had been taken.

There has been significant local opposition to the proposal and a legal challenge to the planning decision is expected from the parish council.

In September, Piddington symbolically voted to leave the UK over the planned use for the site in Oxfordshire.

Politicians from the Conservatives and Reform have made several visits to Piddington, a village of about 350 people, to show their support for campaigners.

Speaking on Friday, Philp said a future Conservative government would shut the asylum accommodation 'straight away' if it was opened by Labour.

Yusuf made clear Reform's opposition to the plans before his focus switched to the Conservatives.

He said: 'It's obviously true that we would not be gathered here today and 1,200 men would not be being dumped into this beautiful village were it not for the actions of the Conservative government. '