Nigel Farage has been left facing a potentially huge threat after Ben Habib opened the door to forming a rival to Reform UK with his "good friend" Rupert Lowe.
Lowe, who was suspended amid allegations of bullying and threatening behaviour on March 7, voiced concern about Farage's leadership and efforts taken by Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf to democratise the populist party.
Habib has been known for making similar criticisms, recently calling for Farage to sack Yusuf.
In a new blow to the Clacton MP, Habib revealed he is a "good friend" of Lowe's and is "constantly in touch with him".
Asked if he would consider returning to frontline politics in an outfit alongside Lowe, Habib told The Telegraph: “Ultimately the reason I joined Reform and the reason I stood for Reform in Wellingborough is because the only way you can make a difference is electorally.”
He added: “You’ve got to be at the ballot box and hold the electoral system to account … so the answer is yes, I think.”
Ben Habib
GETTY
Lowe already carries the support of Elon Musk after the X chief claimed Farage was not up to the job of leading Reform UK following a disagreement about ex-EDL leader Tommy Robinson.
Earlier today, Habib revealed he messaged Lowe ahead of his suspension about the prospect of Reform UK looking to find "some cock and bull story to justify their decision".
Following Farage's comments in The Telegraph over the weekend, Lowe responded by saying: "It's 'our' party."
However, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp appeared to open the door to Lowe joining the Tories.
Speaking to The Times, Philp said: "He hasn't applied but obviously we're a broad and welcoming political party.
"People have been joining the Conservatives from across the political spectrum and we always welcome new joiners."
In yet another twist, a top Tory today told the Daily Express that a senior Shadow Cabinet Minister had been in touch with Lowe about a potential defection.
Habib, who was accused by ex-Reform PR guru Gawain Towler of being on a "one man crusade" against Farage after being sacked as deputy leader, also backed Dame Priti Patel's short-lived bid for Conservative leader last summer.
REFORM UK'S RUPERT LOWE ROW - AS IT HAPPENED:
Nigel Farage
GETTY
However, Lowe appeared to set his sights on succeeding Farage as Reform UK leader in an explosive interview with the Daily Mail.
He accused the Clacton MP of acting like a "messiah" and criticised his ability to delegate.
He added: “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.”
Lowe also alleged that the "witch hunt" against him was "vindictive" as the bullying allegations centre around another member of staff.
Reform UK is now conducting an independent inquiry into the allegations, having appointed a KC to investigate.
Lowe was dealt a blow over the weekend after the lawyer rejected the 67-year-old's suggestions that she was "dismayed" by Reform's conduct in the initial stages of the investigation.
Responding to Lowe's comments, Reform UK chief whip Lee Anderson said: “The written complaints include allegations about the conduct of Mr Lowe.
“I ask that Mr Lowe respects the independence of the investigation and refrains from making further false public statements.”
Rupert Lowe
PA
Despite Farage overseeing Reform's successful 2024 General Election campaign, Habib today told GB News that the Brexit stalwart did little to turn the dial.
The ex-Reform UK deputy leader later argued that the populist party's support stood at 16 per cent ahead of Farage's return as leader, rejecting the suggestion that the Clacton MP propelled five MPs into the House of Commons.
Savanta gave Reform UK just nine per cent support ahead of Farage's return, with the Brexit stalwart overseeing a eight-point boost with the same pollster in the final days of the election campaign.
Habib's own performances in Wellingborough & Rushden perhaps highlighted the rise of Reform under Farage's leadership.
The ex-Brexit Party MEP received just 3,919 votes in last year's by-election, later obtaining the backing of 9,456 voters in the Northamptonshire seat just 140 days later.
Farage has continued to garner more support from the British public since the 2024 General Election, with Reform peaking at 28 per cent in the opinion polls.
Speaking to GB News over the weekend, Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice claimed that the populist party only managed to win five seats because Farage was spearheading the operation.
He said: "I was thrilled and invited Nigel to get stuck in, get serious. I'd taken it [Reform] to nought or one per cent to in the low teens. I knew that Nigel could drive us forwards and without Nigel none of us would have been elected."
Farage also broke his silence on the debacle over the weekend, telling The Telegraph: "What many people may not have realised, however, is that in that time he [Lowe] has also managed to fall out with all his parliamentary colleagues in one way or another."
The Clacton MP added: "All I do know is that Mr Yusuf was presented with complaints which he could not simply disregard."
