Reform UK has suspended MP Rupert Lowe and reported him to the police over alleged threats of bodily violence in the direction of the celebration’s chairman.
An announcement from chair Zia Yusuf and chief whip Lee Anderson MP additionally stated the celebration has obtained complaints from two feminine workers about alleged severe bullying in Mr Lowe’s places of work.
Mr Yusuf and Mr Anderson stated “we understand complaints have been made to parliamentary authorities”.
Mr Lowe, 67, has launched a press release saying the allegations have been “untrue and false”, the accusations of bodily threats have been “outrageous and entirely untrue”, and he referenced a “vexatious complaint” made by one other workers member.
Picture:
Rupert Lowe. File pic: PA
Mr Lowe, the MP for Nice Yarmouth, has had the whip suspended, that means he’ll sit as an unbiased MP within the Home of Commons.
Mr Yusuf and Mr Anderson stated of their assertion that Mr Lowe had “on at least two occasions made threats of physical violence against” Mr Yusuf.
The assertion stated: “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.”
Claims of ‘disturbing sample of behaviour’
It added: “Proof was supplied to us of office bullying, the focusing on of feminine workers who raised issues, and proof of derogatory and discriminatory remarks made about ladies, together with reference to a perceived incapacity.
“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. To date, Mr Lowe has yet to cooperate with this investigation.
“Along with these allegations of a disturbing sample of behaviour, Mr Lowe has on a minimum of two events made threats of bodily violence towards our celebration chairman. 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.”
Picture:
(L-R) Reform UK chief Nigel Farage and celebration chairman Zia Yusuf. Pic: PA
Rumblings of management problem
Earlier this week, Mr Lowe appeared to query Nigel Farage’s management of Reform UK.
In an interview with the Every day Mail, Mr Lowe stated: “Nigel is a fiercely independent individual and is extremely good at what we have done so far. He has got messianic qualities.
“Will these messianic qualities distil into sage management?
“I don’t know.”
He added: “I’m not going to be by Nigel’s side at the next election unless we have a proper plan to change the way we govern from top to bottom.”
Throughout Mr Farage’s on-line falling out with Elon Musk, during which the Tesla businessman stated Reform wanted a brand new chief, Mr Lowe drew reward from Mr Musk.
And within the interview with the Every day Mail, Mr Lowe famous that he was “barely six months into being an MP” and “in the betting to be the next prime minister.”
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‘Disillusioned however not shocked’
In his response to the allegations, Mr Lowe stated on Friday the celebration management had a “complete inability to accept even the most mild constructive criticism without such a malicious reaction”.
He stated in a press release posted on X: “I am disappointed, but not surprised, to read Reform’s untrue and false allegations. Let me be abundantly clear – this investigation is based on zero credible evidence against me, as has been repeatedly stated by the neutral investigator. None has been provided.
“I’ve cooperated and spoken at size with the KC they instructed, at nice price to the celebration, to analyze a minor workers matter.”
He claimed the lawyer was “dismayed” the assertion from Reform UK had been printed – and that the investigation had not even began.
Mr Lowe claimed the lawyer advised him that “no credible evidence has been given”.
The MP added that he was despatched an preliminary letter of grievance final Friday from the celebration with “no evidence provided”.
“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,” he added.
Evaluation: Might Musk have triggered mess inside Reform?
Liz Bates
@wizbates
It sounds too bizarre to be true, however Elon Musk could very nicely be the explanation that Reform UK is embroiled in a messy public battle with one in all its 5 MPs.
Detailed and damning statements launched on Friday look to be the end result of months of rising division between Nigel Farage and Nice Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe.
The allegations towards him are severe, quite a few and have triggered three potential investigations – from the celebration, the parliamentary authorities and the police.
His rebuttal is equally strong, indicating he’ll struggle arduous to clear his identify.
However is that this battle nearly his behaviour? Or is it due to his management ambitions? And have been they ignited after a weird intervention from throughout the pond?
In January, Musk posted on X, calling for Farage to step down, saying he wasn’t as much as the job, and later advised Lowe might step up as he ‘makes a variety of sense’.
Two months later and relations had damaged down past restore, with a confrontation erupting this week within the papers, during which Lowe referred to as Farage messianic and he responded saying the MP in all probability wished to be prime minister.
There isn’t a doubt that an endorsement from the world’s richest man would flatter the ego of any aspiring politician.
However given Friday’s revelations, it appears that evidently as an alternative of kick-starting his rise to the highest of Reform, Musk’s meddling has as an alternative severed his ties with the celebration for good.
‘Vexatious’ grievance
Mr Lowe continued: “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. It was issued on X late on a Friday afternoon, with no prior warning.
“All I acknowledged was that communication wants to enhance, delegation wants to enhance, construction wants to enhance – these are all affordable requests of a celebration trying to type the following authorities. I stand by all the pieces I stated.”
His response added: “I do not believe that Reform members will be pleased to know that their membership fees are being spent on instructing expensive lawyers to investigate their own MPs, over matters that are entirely baseless and have been dealt with in the correct Parliamentary procedure, with HR’s full involvement and support.
“The workers member in query solely raised a vexatious grievance as soon as disciplinary proceedings had been initiated towards them for severe wrongdoing. The opposite particular person talked about, dropped her attraction.”
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Mr Lowe stated he had been attempting to vary the way in which Reform is run “behind the scenes” for a lot of months, and urged his supporters to “stay with the party”.
He stated: “This is our party as much as it is Nigel’s.”
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson stated: “On Thursday, 6 March we received an allegation of verbal threats made by a 67-year-old man on Friday, 13 December.
“Officers are finishing up an evaluation of the allegations to find out what additional motion could also be required.”
