Ben Habib has called for Reform UK to be made more democratic following his ousting as deputy leader.
The ex-MEP was effectively fired from the role and replaced by Richard Tice last week as Nigel Farage carried out a shake-up of his top team after the General Election.
Speaking this morning, Mr Habib said it was “very important that the party democratises”.
The businessman told Times Radio: “It is not about me. I couldn't care less about the position I hold.
“The bigger criticism, if I have got a criticism of the party, is its own lack of democratic set-up.
“It is a limited company, substantially controlled by Nigel Farage. Richard Tice has a stake in it, but as you know, in a limited company if you have got more than 51 percent of the shares you control it.
“And I think that now that we have got seats in Parliament, we have got 4.1 million people voting for us and many more, I am sure, who would have voted for us if they'd had the courage to do so, I think it is very important that the party democratises.”
In a statement after his sacking last Thursday, Mr Habib said he had “long held concerns about the control of the party and the decision-making processes”.
He wrote on X: “I have just been informed by Nigel Farage that Richard Tice is taking over as deputy leader of the party.
“Consequently I no longer hold that position. I am considering my position more generally in light of this change.
“I have long held concerns about the control of the party and the decision-making processes. I will reflect on all of this.
“The key for me is that Reform UK stays true to the promises made to the British people. The movement we have created does not belong to us, it belongs to the people. We are obliged and indebted to the British people.”
Mr. Habib has been a major player in Reform, serving as an MEP for the then-Brexit Party.
Reform returned five MPs at the election but Mr Habib was one of the hundreds of unsuccessful candidates, finishing third in the Wellingborough and Rushden seat.