A dispute within Reform UK has intensified following the leak of private WhatsApp messages in which party leader Nigel Farage condemned the actions of suspended MP Rupert Lowe as “disgusting” and “contemptible.” The messages reveal Farage’s frustration with Lowe after the MP publicly criticised the party and its leadership in an interview with the Daily Mail.
In the interview, published on 5 March, Lowe described Reform UK as a “protest party” led by “the Messiah”—a clear swipe at Farage. Two days later, Lowe was suspended and reported to the police over allegations that he made threats of violence against Reform chairman Zia Yusuf. The party also cited accusations of bullying in Lowe’s MP offices, claims he has firmly denied.
Farage’s leaked messages, sent after the interview, suggest he was angered by Lowe’s remarks, accusing him of “damaging the party just before elections.” While Reform UK has insisted that Lowe’s suspension was unrelated to his criticism, the private exchanges indicate Farage’s personal frustration played a role in the decision.
Lowe has since pushed back, accusing Farage of leading a “malicious witch hunt” to silence him for questioning the party’s leadership. In a social media post, Lowe stated, “These messages unquestionably prove that the Reform leadership has zero integrity. Nigel Farage must never become prime minister.”
Reform’s deputy leader, Richard Tice, has denied any connection between Lowe’s suspension and the controversy surrounding his remarks, dismissing such claims as “absolutely untrue.” However, the leaked messages between Farage and a former associate of Lowe suggest the fallout may have been driven by personal tensions as much as political differences.
This internal dispute comes at a crucial time for Reform UK as it prepares for upcoming elections, raising concerns about the party’s unity and leadership.
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