Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has defended the decision to suspend MP Rupert Lowe, warning against “constant infighting” within political parties. Writing in The Telegraph, Farage acknowledged that the controversy had harmed the party’s unity but insisted action had to be taken.
Lowe, the MP for Great Yarmouth, was suspended following accusations of workplace bullying and alleged threats of physical violence against Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf. He denies the allegations, calling them an “entirely false and poisonous narrative.” The party has launched an independent investigation and referred Lowe to the police.
Farage stated that since Lowe’s election eight months ago, he had repeatedly clashed with colleagues. “We did our best to keep a lid on things, but in the end, containment strategies invariably fail,” he wrote. He argued that Reform UK had a responsibility to protect staff and could not ignore such allegations.
Lowe, however, claims his suspension was politically motivated, suggesting it was retaliation for an interview he gave to The Daily Mail in which he criticized Farage’s leadership. In the interview, he described Reform as a “protest party led by the Messiah.” He insists there is “zero credible evidence” against him and has expressed regret that the situation was not handled privately.
The internal row has highlighted divisions within Reform UK, which has gained momentum in recent polls. With Lowe’s suspension, the party’s number of MPs has dropped from five to four. Political commentators, including former Conservative strategist Tim Montgomerie, have suggested that tensions between Farage and Lowe had been building for some time and that a confrontation was inevitable.
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