Rupert Lowe ‘behavioural problem’ has lasted months, claims Farage as he hits back at ‘witch-hunt’ claim
Nigel Farage has acknowledged there is a “behavioural problem” with suspended MP Rupert Lowe.
The Reform UK leader said the issue has been ongoing “for some months”.
“Outbursts, anger, that kind of thing. Frankly, I have tried to put it to the back of my mind, we all have,” he stated.
His comments come amid a bitter public row between the party and Lowe, who was suspended last week.
Nigel said he was “not prejudging anything” about the bullying allegations against Lowe.
The Great Yarmouth MP has been referred to the police by Reform UK, which accused him of making threats of violence against party chairman Zia Yusuf.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
- Farage suffers grassroots revolt as Reform UK’s membership drops ‘by thousands’ after Lowe bust-up
- Nigel Farage faces threat as Ben Habib floats forming Reform rival with Rupert Lowe
- ‘Retract that now!’ Lowe threatens to sue Reform for libel as Farage feud reaches new juncture
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they are assessing an allegation of “verbal threats”.
The GB News presenter said: “That particular allegation came from our party chairman and this didn’t just happen months ago, it happened in the space of the last few days as well.”
There are also separate allegations of “serious bullying” in Lowe’s offices, which are being independently investigated.
Reform UK has appointed an independent KC to investigate the allegations against Lowe.
“When we found out one of our MPs was facing these accusations, without prejudging anything, we decided to appoint an independent KC to have a look at the situation ourselves,” Nigel explained.
The lawyer, whose credentials have been verified by the BBC, has already contradicted claims made by Lowe about the investigation.
Reform’s deputy leader Richard Tice said it was “right and proper” that the KC had been appointed to conduct an investigation.
Lowe strongly denies all claims against him, saying “there is no credible evidence against me”.
He has accused Reform of conducting a “political assassination because I dared to question Nigel Farage”.
“I will not have my name dragged through the mud,” Lowe told the BBC, adding: “You have to stand up to bullies, and I am doing exactly that.”
The MP has suggested he will take legal action, stating discussions with his legal team “will be followed by legal action in due course”.
Lowe was informed of the allegations on February 28, according to a Reform spokesman.
A week later, on March 5, his interview criticising the party leadership appeared in the Daily Mail.
In that interview, Lowe described Reform as a “protest party led by the Messiah” under Nigel’s leadership.
The following day, Lowe still attended a dinner for potential donors alongside Reform treasurer Nick Candy.
“Since then, things have got a little bit out of control,” Nigel said of the escalating public dispute.