Reform UK, a right-wing populist party currently leading in several British opinion polls, announced on Friday that it has referred one of its lawmakers to the police due to allegations of threats of physical violence directed at the party’s chairman.
Under the leadership of Brexit advocate Nigel Farage, Reform UK stated that Rupert Lowe exhibited a “disturbing pattern of behaviour,” which includes threats made against Chairman Zia Yusuf and serious bullying complaints from two female staff members in his parliamentary office.
The party’s statement highlighted that “evidence was presented to us regarding workplace bullying, the targeting of female employees who voiced concerns, and derogatory and discriminatory comments made about women, including references to a perceived disability.”
Furthermore, the statement noted, “In addition to these troubling allegations, Mr. Lowe has made threats of physical violence against our party chairman on at least two occasions. As a result, this issue has been referred to the police.”
In response, Lowe denied the allegations, calling them “untrue and false.”
“Let me be abundantly clear – this investigation is based on zero credible evidence against me, as has been repeatedly stated by the neutral investigator,” he asserted in a statement.
Reform UK, which has only five members in Parliament, surpassed the governing Labour Party last month in opinion polls, reflecting public dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is less than a year into his term.
However, the party is experiencing signs of internal division and has seen a decline in support, while Starmer’s party has gained traction following his prominent involvement in discussions regarding Ukraine.
Lowe, who was recently endorsed by billionaire Elon Musk as a potential leader for Reform, remarked this week that it is “too early” to determine if Farage will be an effective leader, accusing him of possessing “messianic” tendencies.
“It is no surprise that this vexatious statement has been issued the day after my reasonable and constructive questions regarding Nigel and the Reform structure,” he added in his latest statement.
About The Author
