Zia Yusuf resigned as chairman of Reform UK after 11 months in the job, delivering a blow to its leader, Nigel Farage, who has promised to build and professionalize the insurgent party in a quest for power at the next general election.

The sudden departure of Zia Yusuf, chairman of Nigel Farage’s anti-immigration party, is a blow to the organization and comes after a clash with another party member over the burqa.

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has been dealt a major blow after the party’s chairman resigned following a row over banning the burka. Zia Yusuf announced on Thursday that he was quitting the role he has held for almost a year.