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Reform UK has launched a probe into one of its MPs over allegations of “serious bullying” and “targeting of female staff”.
Nigel Farage’s right-wing party announced the investigation into Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe just 24 hours after he publicly criticised his boss.
The party also revealed it has reported Mr Lowe to the police, claiming he had made threats of physical violence against party chairman Zia Yusuf on at least two occasions.
In a joint statement, chairman Zia Yusuf and chief whip Lee Anderson said: “It is with regret that we feel obligated to disclose that the party received complaints from two female employees about serious bullying in the offices of the Member of Parliament for Great Yarmouth, Rupert Lowe.
“One worked in his Parliamentary office, the other in his constituency office, we understand complaints have been made to Parliamentary authorities.”
Reform also said Mr Lowe had lost the whip.
The party said it received evidence of “workplace bullying, the targeting of female staff who raised concerns, and evidence of derogatory and discriminatory remarks made about women, including reference to a perceived disability”.
The Metropolitan Police said the force received an allegation about alleged verbal threats made on December 13.
The allegation comes shortly after an extraordinary spat between Mr Lowe and Mr Farage, with the former accusing his boss of having “messianic” tendencies. Mr Farage hit back, saying there would not have been a “cat’s chance in hell” of Mr Lowe winning his seat.
There have long been reports of ill-feeling between Mr Lowe and the party leader after Elon Musk called for Mr Farage to be replaced in the top job – endorsing Mr Lowe as his preferred successor.
Asked if Mr Lowe would still be a Reform UK MP by the next election, he said: “Well I hope so but he seems to be taking a tone that says he might not accept us.”
As the row between the pair threatened to escalate further, the party said: “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.”
The complaints against Mr Lowe are understood to have been shared with parliamentary authorities, while Reform has hired an independent King’s Counsel to investigate them.
Reform added that Mr Lowe has so far refused to cooperate with its investigation.
Responding to the claims, Mr Lowe said the allegations were “false and untrue”, adding that the investigation is based on “zero credible evidence”.
The MP said he has spoken “at length” with Reform’s investigating lawyer, adding that she was “dismayed that this statement [by Reform] has been made”.
“Allegations of physical threats are outrageous and entirely untrue,” he said.
He added: “I have never made any derogatory comments about women, or those with disabilities. This is a lie. These allegations are not even referring to me. I will be seeking legal advice immediately.”
But as well as denying the allegations, Mr Lowe lashed out again at Mr Farage, deepening the rift between the two and raising the prospect of Reform losing one of its five MPs.
“A complete inability to accept even the most mild constructive criticism without such a malicious reaction is not effective leadership,” he said.
“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,” he said.
Mr Lowe said he was merely calling for better communication, delegation and party structure. “I stand by everything I said,” he added.
He said: “I have been pushing for this behind the scenes for many months, with zero success.
“My repeated requests for better communication and regular meetings have been ignored and mocked.
“I have tried and tried – and will continue to try. I did not speak publicly without exhausting all other options, repeatedly. I have done everything in my power to resolve this behind closed doors. Sadly, I failed.”
Mr Lowe urged Reform supporters “of mine” to stay with the party, suggesting he does not intend to quit.
He added: “This is our party as much as it is Nigel’s.”
The infighting comes after polling suggested that the party may have hit their ceiling with a surge in support since the general election coming to an end three weeks ago.
The latest weekly Techne UK poll for The Independent puts Reform on 25 per cent for the third week in a row and has Labour pulling ahead by three points on 28 per cent after praise for Sir Keir Starmer following a week of diplomatic talks over the Ukraine crisis.
