Reform UK’s chief whip has claimed the party “cannot function” while Rupert Lowe remains as one of its MPs. Yesterday, the Great Yarmouth MP was accused of threatening violence against party chairman Zia Yusuf and workplace bullying. Mr Lowe has vehemently denied these allegations, claiming he has been targeted for his previous remarks labelling Nigel Farage as a “messiah”.
Lee Anderson wrote on X on Saturday: “His unwillingness to cooperate in an investigation into his behaviour has meant the Parliamentary party cannot function effectively whilst Rupert is a Reform UK MP.” Mr Lowe, 67, had previously made comments about the party’s governance structures, saying they need to be overhauled and to start “behaving as if we are leading and not merely protesting”.
Rupert Lowe has been accused of making threats against Reform’s chairman (Image: Getty)
The initial statement on Friday was signed by Mr Anderson and Mr Yusuf. Following this, the chief whip wrote on X: “At Reform UK we have a monumental task on our hands in order to save our country.
“There is a huge amount of pressure on Nigel and our team to deliver for the British public. I did not come into politics for personal gain, like my colleagues I stepped forward because I wanted to help save my country.
“Joining Reform UK is the best thing I have ever done in politics and this is our last chance to turn things around in our country. But politics is a team game and we must work as a team. I was the first ever Reform UK MP, and my first loyalty will always be to my country. I have a great deal of respect for Rupert Lowe, and as his Chief Whip, I have bent over backwards to be fair with him since he entered Parliament.
“But his unwillingness to cooperate in an investigation into his behaviour has meant the Parliamentary party cannot function effectively whilst Rupert is a Reform UK MP.
“There is far too much at stake, and by not taking decisive action, we would risk losing everything we have built up.
“I bare no malice towards Rupert and to remove the whip was a deeply painful thing to do, but delivering for our country must come first and no man is bigger than our party.”
Rupert Lowe called Nigel Farage a “messiah” (Image: Getty)
Mr Lowe responded saying the statement was “not true”, adding “I thought you were a friend. Evidently, I was wrong”.
He said: “Lee. What you have said is simply not true. I have spoken to the KC multiple times over the last week. She has confirmed again and again that no credible evidence against me has been provided to her by you or the party. I must have had ten different conversations with her.
“To say I have not cooperated is false. That is an outright lie.
“Launching this vindictive assault before an investigation has even started is quite frankly pathetic.
“Our members, supporters and country deserve so much better than this. I thought you were a friend. Evidently, I was wrong.”
Mr Lowe also invited the party leader on X, asking to resolve the issue privately.
He said: “I am going to now repeat publicly an invitation that I have extended to Nigel Farage in private multiple times over many months. Every offer has been refused or ignored.
“Please, let’s have dinner and resolve this in a manner that our members, and the country, would expect. Any time, any place. You’ve got my number.”
