Reform UK's Rupert Lowe sacked and reported to police by own party over alleged 'threats'
Rupert Lowe has furiously denied Reform UK's claims that he bullied female members of staff and threatened violence against chairman Zia Yusuf. In a jaw-dropping statement about one of their own MPs, Mr Yusuf claimed he had received complaints from two female employees about "serious bullying" in Mr Lowe's office.
He said the complaints were made to Parliamentary authorities, and that the party had received evidence of the allegations. These included "evidence of derogatory and discriminatory remarks made about women, including reference to a perceived disability.”
"In addition to these allegations of a disturbing pattern of behaviour, Mr Lowe has on at least two occasions made threats of physical violence against our Party Chairman," the statement continued. "Accordingly, this matter is with the Police".
"Reform stands for the highest standards of conduct in public life, and we will apply these standards without fear nor favour, including within our own party.”
A party spokesman has confirmed that Mr Lowe has had the whip suspended, meaning he will now sit as an independent in the Commons and takes Reform's cohort down to four.
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.”
A spokesman for the Met Police confirmed: "On Thursday, 6 March we received an allegation of verbal threats made by a 67-year-old man on Friday, 13 December."
"Officers are carrying out an assessment of the allegations to determine what further action may be required."
The extraordinary move came after an interview Mr Lowe gave to the Daily Mail in which he took multiple swipes at Nigel Farage.
The Norfolk MP, who was backed by Elon Musk to replace Nigel Farage as the party’s leader, delivered a warning that Mr Farage will only succeed if he “surrounds himself with the right people”.
In an ominous comment about the party’s leadership, Mr Lowe said it’s “too early to know” if Mr Farage will make a good Prime Minister.
“Nigel is a fiercely independent individual and is extremely good at what we have done so far. He has got messianic qualities. Will those messianic qualities distil into sage leadership? I don’t know.”
“Nigel is a messianic figure who is at the core of everything but he has to learn to delegate, as not everything can go through one person.”
He also refused to say whether he would still be a Reform MP by the time of the next election, suggesting he could quit unless Nigel Farage and Zia Yusuf reform the party and take policy more seriously.
In response Nigel Farage slapped him down, saying his parliamentary colleague was “utterly, completely wrong”.
Pressed on whether Lowe would be an MP at the next election, Farage said: “I hope so, he seems to be taking a tone that suggests he won’t accept us.”
Last month Mr Farage and Mr Lowe were witnessed having a “bust-up” near the House of Commons.
A source told the Daily Express: “They were having a very public bust-up a fortnight ago over an interview Lowe had done. It’s not surprising with two such strong figures”.
The Met Police were approached for comment.
