image sourced from original article at A Reform party candidate for local elections in Leeds is under investigation after a video showed him chanting a controversial pro-Palestinian slogan during a 2024 protest. Professor Muhammad Sajjad Raja, selected to stand in the Moortown ward, was filmed leading chants including 'from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free' at a demonstration linked to Gaza.
The footage, originally shared on his social media account, showed Raja participating in a march organised by the Workers Party of Britain. He was also seen holding a sign reading 'For Britain, for Gaza' and chanting additional slogans critical of Israel. The slogan at the centre of the row has been widely debated in British politics, with Reform leader Nigel Farage describing it as a hate slogan.
Raja has previously been involved with multiple political groups. He stood as a Conservative candidate in Leeds in 2023 before later backing Reform, saying he supported the party to fix what he called a broken Britain. Reform said its investigation is ongoing, and Raja has been approached for comment.
