Nigel Farage appoints right-wing anti-abortion theologian as Reform senior adviser

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Reform has been accused of “importing divisive and dangerous ideas” from Maga politics in the US after a right-wing theologian who opposes abortion in all cases joined the party as Nigel Farage’s adviser.

Cambridge University professor James Orr, who heads the Centre for a Better Britain think tank, is an influential figure in Donald Trump’s administration and is admired by vice-president JD Vance.

His arrival comes soon after the defection from the Tories of right-wing MP Danny Kruger, who holds similar views to Professor Orr.

Over the summer both Professor Orr and Mr Kruger visited Mr Vance while he was in the UK ahead of them joining Reform.

Professor Orr has also described asylum seekers as “invaders” in a provocative piece.

The move comes after Sir Keir Starmer described Reform’s migrant plans as “racist” and “immoral” during the Labour Party conference in September.

Labour led condemnations of Reform accepting Professor Orr into their ranks.

A Labour spokesperson said: “Reform’s embrace of figures like James Orr tells you everything you need to know about the direction their party is taking. His opposition to abortion even in cases of rape and his description of asylum seekers as ‘invaders’ are extreme even by the standards of contemporary right-wing politics.”

Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper warned: “This appointment confirms what we’ve always known: Reform UK is just a British franchise of Donald Trump’s Maga movement.

“By appointing Orr, Farage is clearly trying to import the same divisive and dangerous ideas that underpin the Trump administration.

“We can all see what is happening in Trump’s America. We cannot stand by and let this become Farage’s Britain.”

Reform has denied that the party is moving towards an anti-abortion stance. It is understood that his decision to formally join Reform is to help the party bring in elite talent.

But Professor Orr, who has been behind the National Conservatism conferences, was described as “a brilliant academic, theologian, thinker” by Reform’s head of policy Zia Yusuf.

Mr Yusuf announced the associate professor of the history of religion at Cambridge had joined Reform in a post on social media site X.

The senior Reform figure added: “He has been a bastion of common sense and patriotism at Cambridge University.

“He has become a close friend, and is someone who I believe will have a pivotal role in shaping the future of this country.”

He continued: “James is now a senior member of our team, a senior adviser to Nigel Farage and he will bring even more talented patriots to the Reform family.”

Though not a well-known public figure, Professor Orr has been influential on the philosophy of the Trump administration.

Vice-president Vance once described him as his “British sherpa”.

The Independent has approached Reform for comment.