Reform civil war breaks out as Lowe suspended amid bullying claims

Reform UK has stripped Rupert Lowe of the whip and accused him of making “threats of physical violence” towards the party chairman a day after he criticised leader Nigel Farage.

In a statement on Friday, Reform said it had also received evidence from staff of “derogatory and discriminating remarks made about women” by Mr Lowe, who was elected to his Great Yarmouth seat last year.

He was also alleged to have “on at least two occasions made threats of physical violence” to Reform chairman Zia Yusuf, who said the matter was now “with the police”, without saying which force.

Mr Lowe denied the claims, describing the statement as “vexatious” and said it was “no surprise” that it had come a day after he raised “reasonable and constructive questions” about Reform leader Mr Farage.

“A complete inability to accept even the most mild constructive criticism without such a malicious reaction is not effective leadership.”

The party claimed it had received complaints from two women, one working in Mr Lowe’s parliamentary office and one in his constituency office, about his behaviour.

It claimed evidence was provided of the “targeting of female staff who raised concerns” and of remarks “including reference to a perceived disability”, and suggested allegations had been made to parliamentary authorities.

“We feel we have a duty of care to all our staff, whether employed directly or indirectly,” the statement by Mr Yusuf and chief whip Lee Anderson said.

“Accordingly, we appointed an independent King’s Counsel to conduct an investigation into the veracity of these complaints. To date, Mr Lowe has yet to co-operate with this investigation.”

Reform later confirmed that Mr Lowe had lost the whip.

The MP said he spoken at length with a senior barrister hired by the party to look into what he described as “a minor staff matter”.

He said he would be “seeking legal advice immediately”, adding: “I have just spoken to the KC. She is dismayed that this statement has been made, and reiterated that no evidence against me has been sent to her.

“She stated that this has been issued before the investigation has even started.”

It comes after internal splits within the right-wing party, which has five MPs, opened up on Thursday as Mr Lowe told the Daily Mail that Reform remains a “protest party led by the Messiah” under Mr Farage.

Asked whether he thought the former Ukip leader had the potential to become prime minister, as his supporters have suggested, the MP said:  “It’s too early to know whether Nigel will deliver the goods. He can only deliver if he surrounds himself with the right people.”