Dr David Bull takes over from Zia Yusuf, who dramatically quit as Reform UK’s chairman last week, before returning to the party in a new position just two days later
A former BBC Newsround presenter has been made Reform UK’s new chairman.
Dr David Bull takes over from Zia Yusuf, who dramatically quit the role last week, before returning to the party in a new position just two days later.
Nigel Farage welcomed Dr Bull, who was previously Reform’s co-deputy leader, saying he would come to the role of Reform UK chairman with “terrific verve, energy, enthusiasm”. Mr Farage, Reform’s leader, added: “It’s going to be great fun.” Mr Yusuf said he is “hugely excited” that Dr Bull was taking the role.
Some viewers might recognise Dr Bull, now 56, from his former years as a TV presenter, with his credits including Newsround and paranormal series Most Haunted.
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The now Talk TV presenter’s broadcasting career first started in 1995, when he starred as an on-screen doctor for Sky TV giving people advice to people travelling abroad. The Reform politician then joined Newsround in the late 1990s.
It followed Dr Bull having qualified as a physician in 1993 from St Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London.
He went to present other BBC kids shows, before joining BBC’s Watchdog to present its Healthcheck spin-off. His presenting credits also include Most Haunted Live and Hospital Live.
After his years as a TV doctor, Dr Bull turned to politics. He was selected as Tory candidate for Brighton Pavilion but stood down in 2009 before the election to head up a Conservative policy review on sexual health with Anne Milton, the shadow health minister.
In 2019, he was elected as a Member of the European Parliament, as part of The Brexit Party, and served until the UK left the EU. He has since been Reform UK’s Deputy leader and health spokesman.
Mr Yusuf resigned after criticising Reform MP Sarah Pochin for asking a “dumb” question at PMQs about a burka ban. In a parting jibe, he added: “I no longer believe working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time, and hereby resign the office.”
But he returned to the party just days later. Mr Yusuf said he regrets his social media post about Ms Pochin. He will now lead the so-called “Doge team”, which is inspired by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency in Donald Trump’s administration.
Dr Bull reportedly backs “banning the burqa”.
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