The Metropolitan Police has launched a formal investigation into claims of threats by Rupert Lowe against Reform Chairman Zia Yusuf, following a report by the party last week.
In a statement this afternoon, a spokesman for the force said they have now launched an investigation "into an allegation of a series of verbal threats made by a 67-year-old man.
"Our original statement referred to alleged threats made in December 2024. We would like to clarify that when this matter was reported to us it referred to a series of alleged threats made between December 2024 and February 2025.
"Further enquiries are ongoing at this stage."
It comes after Reform submitted claims of physical threats against Mr Yusuf by Mr Lowe, at which point the London force said it was "carrying out an assessment of the allegations to determine what further action may be required".
Mr Lowe has continued to protest his innocence, though admitted in an interview last night that he had a meeting with Mr Yusuf in December during which a “robust debate” took place.
He implied no one should take the claims seriously as “I’m 67, he’s 38”.
Of the ongoing police inquiries, he told Dan Wootton: “My solicitors have been on hold all day to the Met.”
“I hope when they meet they show me the evidence they have.”
The tensions between Mr Farage and Mr Lowe exploded to the surface on Friday last week when the party made allegations of both bullying in Mr Lowe’s parliamentary and constituency offices, and threats against Mr Yusuf.
Mr Lowe quickly hit back that the claims are “untrue and false”, and the investigation is based on “zero credible evidence against me”.
He condemned the claims of physical threats as “outrageous and entirely untrue” and said he is now seeking his own legal advice over the “lies” made against him.
The Norfolk MP fumed: “It is no surprise that this vexatious statement has been issued the day after my reasonable and constructive questions of Nigel and the Reform structure.”
“If they want to kick me out over false claims, they’ll have to finally present some credible evidence against me. There is none, as the KC has just told me. Again.
“A complete inability to accept even the most mild constructive criticism without such a malicious reaction is not effective leadership.
"This is our party as much as it is Nigel’s.”
Last night it was revealed Mr Lowe is considering joining forces in a new breakaway anti-immigration party with former Brexit Party MEP Ben Habib, who said he has been “constantly in touch” with the Great Yarmouth MP.
