Rupert Lowe has attacked his own party (Image: Adam Gerrard/Daily Express)
Suspended Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe accused his party of a “vindictive witch-hunt” after asking “awkward questions” of leader .
In an explosive statement on Sunday morning, the Great Yarmouth MP claimed the civil war had been “maliciously concocted to drag my name through the mud”.
He also accused party chiefs of wasting police time by making allegations of threats of physical violence against party chairman Zia Yusuf – something he has denied.
Highlighting the huge rift with Mr , Mr Lowe said: “So we are clear – it is now Reform policy to remove MPs if staff members make vexatious complaints?
Rupert Lowe has been in a public spat with Nigel Farage (Image: Getty Images)
Reform UK is locked in a civil war (Image: PA)
“Even whilst they are going through a disciplinary procedure following serious offences? Before any investigation is even allowed to start?
“Do they want to go down this path? Really?
“All of this, and more, is with my legal team. I will not tolerate these falsehoods.
“It is a vindictive witch-hunt, all because I asked awkward questions of Nigel.”
Mr Lowe told his followers on social media site X that he wanted to “break down the Reform statement about me in full”.
Mr Lowe was reported to the police over allegations of threatening violence towards Mr Yusuf
Reform also said it had received evidence of “serious bullying” and “derogatory” remarks made about women in the MP’s offices, with two separate employees said to have made allegations.
He said allegations that two female employees were bullied “are not against me personally, but the office”.
Mr Lowe claimed: “These allegations are not against me personally, but the ‘office’.
“Both of these employees only raised their complaints once disciplinary proceedings had started against both of them for serious offences.
“They both admitted to these offences. No complaints whatsoever before. Parliamentary HR were involved in every step of the way, and full parliamentary process was followed. One of the individuals later dropped her appeal.
“They were parliamentary employees, not Reform employees.”
Addressing chief whip Lee Anderson and Mr Yusuf’s claim Reform UK had been provided with evidence of “workplace bullying”, including a “reference to a perceived disability, Mr Lowe said: “I did not make these remarks.
“The comments mentioned refer to a different member of staff’s remarks, vindictively leaked in private WhatsApp messages by one of the individuals who was going through the disciplinary process. She resigned before that process could finish.
“Are MPs now responsible for mildly inappropriate comments that their staff make in private conversations?
“Reform has deliberately conflated these accusations to make me look guilty.
“Again, there is no credible evidence against me of any bullying whatsoever.”
The Great Yarmouth MP said he is yet to hear from the parliamentary authorities over bullying allegations.
Commenting on allegations he physically threatened Mr Yusuf, the former Southampton FC chairman said: “This is total nonsense.
“In December, Zia and I had a robust debate. We moved on, or so I thought.
“This was then reported to the police the day after I raised concerns about the party leadership, months after the event. What a disgraceful waste of police time. Weaponising the process to blacken my name.”
But Reform UK deputy leader said the suspension of Mr Lowe was the “right and proper” thing to do.
Mr Tice said: “There’s been a variety of instances and you have to make difficult judgements through the process. But of course it’s unfortunate, of course it’s difficult, but these allegations of bullying by two separate female members of staff to the parliamentary authorities, those clearly have to be dealt with in the proper and responsible way.
“We’ve also got a duty of care as a party, whether people are employed directly or indirectly. So, that’s why the chairman has instructed an independent investigation by a KC, that’s the right and proper thing to do. That will run its course.
“But imagine if we hadn’t been open and transparent about this. Imagine if we’d tried to brush it under the carpet and in some way cover it up, and then it came out at a future time. Everyone would have been raging.”