A lawyer representing former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe has raised concerns over the independence of an investigation into allegations of bullying and harassment against him. Lowe, the MP for Great Yarmouth, strongly denies the claims made by two female staff members, which a report by KC Jacqueline Perry, commissioned by Reform UK, deemed “credible” last week.
Lowe now asserts that a review by his own KC, Gemma White of Irwin Mitchell, reveals the original investigation was “fundamentally flawed, unfair, and influenced by political motivations.”
The initial investigation concluded there was “credible evidence” that Lowe and his staff mistreated team members in ways that “seem to amount to harassment.” Additionally, Lowe was reported to police over allegations of verbal threats toward party chairman Zia Yusuf claims he also denies.
In her review, White noted she only had access to information provided by Lowe or publicly available, lacking insight into internal party communications. She criticized Perry for allegedly “producing” witness statements after lengthy phone interviews and questioned whether Perry had recent experience handling similar investigations. White also highlighted that no formal terms of reference were set for the probe, which was submitted to Reform UK before Lowe’s deadline to respond.
“The sequence of events gives rise to real questions as to whether the investigation was conducted independently of the party’s influence,” White stated. Perry maintains her report was impartial and that she was appropriately qualified.
Lowe, one of five Reform MPs elected last year, accused the party of a “political assassination” for challenging Nigel Farage. Following White’s review, he condemned Reform UK for “publicly shaming my staff” and declared the party “unfit to govern” and “unfit to sit in the House of Commons.”
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