REFORM has reported their own MP Rupert Lowe to cops after he was accused of threatening colleagues with “physical violence”.
Mr Lowe had the whip removed today as he was also alleged by his party to have committed “serious bullying” against two female staff.
AlamyRupert Lowe has been reported to police over allegations of “serious bullying” of female staff[/caption]
The Great Yarmouth MP immediately slammed the allegations as “outrageous and entirely untrue”.
It comes amid a Reform civil war in which leader Nigel Farage and Mr Lowe locked horns over the direction of the party.
Mr Farage warned the ex-Southampton FC chairman to wind his neck in after he gave an explosive interview, criticising the party chief of not running a professional political operation.
In a statement this evening, Reform Chairman Zia Yusuf said he had appointed an independent barrister to review the complaints made by staff.
They allegedly include making “derogatory and discriminatory remarks made about women”, including referencing a “perceived disability”.
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Mr Yusuf claimed that Mr Lowe has refused to cooperate with the probe so far.
He said: “We feel we have a duty of care to all our staff, whether employed directly or indirectly.
“Accordingly, we appointed an independent King’s Counsel to conduct an investigation into the veracity of these complaints.
“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.
“Accordingly, this matter is with the Police.”
Hitting back, Mr Lowe said: “Allegations of physical threats are outrageous and entirely untrue.
“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.
“There is no credible evidence against me, as the KC has stated on numerous occasions.”
A senior Reform source told The Sun Mr Lowe knew about the complaints when he delivered the punchy interview that sent the party into turmoil.
The Reform source claimed that “anger issues have been growing since the election”.
Earlier this week Mr Lowe – formerly one of just five Reform MPs – had said: “It’s too early to know whether Nigel will deliver the goods.”
Reacting to the slap-down on Talk drivetime with Harry Cole yesterday, Mr Farage shot back: “We are not a protest party in any way at all that is utterly wrong, utterly, completely wrong. We are an entirely positive party.
“Come to any Reform event, and the positivity, the energy, and perhaps you should come to one.”
Mr Farage even sniped that perhaps his outspoken colleague “wants to be Prime Minister” and was gunning for his job.
Mr Lowe has gained a public following for his hardline immigration stance and has been praised by Elon Musk.
Asked if his colleague would still be a Reform MP at the next election, Mr Farage told Harry: “I hope so, he seems to be taking a tone that suggests he won’t accept us.”
The row was sparked by remarks by Mr Lowe in which he urged Reform to change from “a protest party led by the Messiah” to a “properly structured party with a frontbench”.
The ex-Southampton FC chairman hit out at Mr Farage’s ability to delegate and even said he won’t run for the party at the next election unless it changes “from top to bottom”.
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