Rupert Lowe, the MP for Great Yarmouth, has been suspended from Reform UK and reported to the authorities following serious allegations of bullying and threats of physical violence. Despite vehemently denying these claims as “untrue and false”, the situation has exposed underlying tensions within the party, which has recently experienced a surge in popularity in the polls.
The suspension, which occurred just days after Lowe publicly questioned Nigel Farage’s leadership, has raised eyebrows. Lowe, who previously served as the chairman of Southampton Football Club, had been considered a potential successor to Farage. In light of the recent developments, fellow Reform UK MP Lee Anderson has called for Lowe’s resignation, stating, “Politics is a team game and we must work as a team.”
Anderson, who serves as the Chief Whip, expressed his frustration over Lowe’s lack of cooperation in the investigation, emphasizing that it hampered the party’s ability to function effectively. In response, Lowe remarked, “I thought you were a friend. Evidently, I was wrong.”
As of now, Farage has not publicly addressed the situation since Lowe’s suspension.
The Allegations Against Rupert Lowe
The suspension took effect on March 7th, following allegations that Lowe had made threats of physical violence against the party’s chairman, Zia Yusuf. Reform UK issued a statement indicating that they had received complaints from two female staff members about serious bullying in Lowe’s offices. One complaint originated from his parliamentary office, while the other came from his constituency office, with both complaints reported to parliamentary authorities.
The party’s statement detailed evidence of “workplace bullying” alongside “derogatory and discriminatory remarks”. Additionally, it claimed that Lowe had, on at least two occasions, made threats of physical violence against the party chairman, leading to the involvement of law enforcement.
In the wake of these allegations, Lowe has firmly denied any wrongdoing, asserting, “There is zero credible evidence against me.” He further claimed that the timing of the statement—issued the day after he raised questions about party leadership—was not coincidental.
Elon Musk’s Support for Lowe
Earlier this year, Rupert Lowe became a focal point in discussions about party leadership when tech mogul Elon Musk endorsed him as a potential replacement for Farage. Musk criticized Farage in January, suggesting he “doesn’t have what it takes” to lead the party. This came after a disagreement between Musk and Farage regarding the treatment of far-right campaigner Tommy Robinson.
Musk had previously described Robinson as a political prisoner, while Farage distanced himself from this view, stating, “My view remains that Tommy Robinson is not right for Reform, and I never sell out my principles.” In a statement on January 5, Musk stated, “The Reform Party needs a new leader. Farage doesn’t have what it takes.” When asked if Lowe should take over, Musk seemed to endorse him, saying, “I have not met Rupert Lowe, but his statements online that I have read so far make a lot of sense.”
In response to Musk’s comments, Lowe stated, “Nigel is leader of Reform. He made Brexit happen, and for that, I will always be grateful.” He expressed hope for continued collaboration to hold the current Labour government accountable and to work towards a Reform-led future.
Lowe Questions Farage’s Leadership
In a revealing interview with the Daily Mail, Lowe expressed skepticism about Farage’s ability to effectively lead Reform UK. When discussing his status as a favorite among bookmakers to become the next Prime Minister, Lowe remarked, “I’m barely six months into being an MP, and I’m in the betting to be the next Prime Minister. It’s absolutely staggering. I don’t know where this has come from.”
He further questioned whether Farage would be a suitable Prime Minister, stating, “It’s too early to know whether Nigel will deliver the goods. He can only deliver if he surrounds himself with the right people.” Lowe described Farage as a “messianic figure,” emphasizing the need for the party to transition from a protest group to a more structured organization capable of governance.
Reform UK’s Rising Popularity
Despite the unrest within the party, recent polls indicate that Reform UK is experiencing a significant rise in public support, often competing closely with Labour and surpassing the Conservatives. A YouGov poll from March 4th indicated that Labour held a narrow lead with 26 percent, while Reform UK trailed closely at 25 percent. The Conservatives lagged behind with 21 percent, the Liberal Democrats at 14 percent, and the Greens at nine percent.
Moreover, a BMG Research poll for The i Paper suggested that Reform UK had overtaken Labour with 27 percent support, although this lead fell within the margin of error. Meanwhile, the Conservative Party’s support dropped to 22 percent, marking their lowest level since the general election in July 2024. Notably, Farage’s approval ratings have also improved, with voter satisfaction nearly matching dissatisfaction for the first time.
Rupert Lowe’s Full Statement
“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 have cooperated and spoken at length with the KC they instructed, at great cost to the party, to investigate a minor staff matter. 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.
She is shocked at the process, shocked at the communication from the party, and shocked that no credible evidence has been given, despite her repeated requests. I was sent an initial letter late on Friday afternoon last week, again with no evidence provided, with no prior warning and no attempt to understand the full position.
Allegations of physical threats are outrageous and entirely untrue. 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.
There is no credible evidence against me, as the KC has stated on numerous occasions. 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 stated was that communication needs to improve, delegation needs to improve, structure needs to improve – these are all reasonable requests of a party looking to form the next Government. I stand by everything I said.
I have been pushing for this behind the scenes for many months, with zero success. I have been frozen out of meetings, policy discussions, press conferences, and more. My repeated requests for better communication and regular meetings have been ignored and mocked.
Honestly, I have tried and tried – and will continue to try. I did not speak publicly without exhausting all other options, repeatedly. I have done everything in my power to resolve this behind closed doors. Sadly, I failed.
Our voters, our members, and our country all deserve so much better than this. To Reform supporters of mine, please stay with the party. We must win the next election. There is no other choice. Infighting serves nobody but our enemies. This could have all been resolved with even the most basic level of communication.
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 staff member in question only raised a vexatious complaint once disciplinary proceedings had been initiated against them for serious wrongdoing. The other individual mentioned dropped her appeal.
If they want to kick me out over false claims, they’ll have to finally present some credible evidence against me. There is none, as the KC has just told me. Again.
A complete inability to accept even the most mild constructive criticism without such a malicious reaction is not effective leadership. This is our party as much as it is Nigel’s.”
