Davidson Press
Live Desk · live
Zia Yusuf calls Alastair Campbell a “war criminal” in heated Question Time clash
A debate on BBC Question Time escalated into a confrontation over the Iraq War and Brexit. Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf accused Alastair Campbell of deceiving the public over the case for war and called him a “war criminal”. Campbell rejected the allegation as the pair spoke over one another and presenter Fiona Bruce intervened.
By John Davidson · Warwick, England — 30 October 2026
WHAT HAPPENED
A dispute between Yusuf and Campbell escalated during Thursday night’s Question Time, broadcast from Warwick.
The exchange began during a wider argument about Brexit. Yusuf challenged Campbell after he criticised the Leave campaign, redirecting the discussion towards Campbell’s role in the public case for the 2003 Iraq War.
WHO WAS INVOLVED
Yusuf, Reform UK’s home affairs spokesperson, was one of five panellists. Campbell appeared as a journalist and political strategist.
The panel also included Chief Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds, Conservative MP James Cartlidge and Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper. Fiona Bruce presented the programme.
WHEN AND WHERE
The confrontation took place on the Question Time broadcast from Warwick on Thursday, 29 October. The programme aired the evening before this live desk was published.
WHY THE EXCHANGE ESCALATED
Yusuf referred to the intelligence dossier on Iraq’s alleged weapons of mass destruction and accused Campbell and former prime minister Tony Blair of misleading the public before the invasion.
He then called Campbell a “war criminal” and said Campbell and Blair should be on trial. These were Yusuf’s allegations during the debate.
CAMPBELL’S RESPONSE
Campbell rejected the accusation that he had lied. He said six inquiries had examined the Iraq War and none had found that he had lied.
The two continued speaking over one another. Bruce intervened and told Yusuf to allow Campbell to answer.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The clash has renewed attention on the Iraq War, the intelligence used to justify it and the way those arguments continue to shape UK political debate. Davidson Press will update this desk if there are significant further developments or responses.
EDITOR’S COMMENT
John Davidson, Editor-in-Chief
I am on Zia Yusuf’s side in this exchange. Alastair Campbell has spent years commenting on political honesty and accountability; his role in making the case for the Iraq War deserves to be challenged just as firmly.
Yusuf’s accusation was forceful, and Campbell was entitled to answer it. But the questions behind it remain serious: what was presented to the public, what did those in power know, and who has taken responsibility for the consequences? Those questions should not be brushed aside simply because the debate became heated.
Calling someone a “war criminal” is a grave accusation, not a legal finding. My view is that Yusuf was right to confront Campbell over Iraq, while the underlying questions must be judged on the evidence.