Reform UK member Charlie Downes has told GB News the dramatic events affecting Nigel Farage’s party has left him “demoralised”.
Downes said on the People’s Channel that he views Rupert Lowe as “the finest MP in Parliament” and seeing him have the whip removed is a “depressing” development.
The 67-year-old has been reported to the police over alleged threats of physical violence against the party’s chair.
Chairman Zia Yusuf and chief whip Lee Anderson also said two complaints have been lodged from two female employees about alleged serious bullying in the Great Yarmouth MP’s offices.
Charlie Downes said the dramatic series of events is 'depressing'
PA / GB NEWS
Lowe has denied all allegations, but has had the whip suspended.
Downes offered his reaction shortly after the latter development on GB News.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
The matter was discussed on GB News
GB NEWS
“It’s so demoralising to see this infighting in what should be the only viable vehicle for a truly radical change in British politics”, he said.
“Rupert Lowe for my money is the finest MP in Parliament. He and the leader of the party Nigel Farage have the goods to truly transform British politics.
“To see them fall out like this is just so depressing and demoralising. You would think we would be above this kind of thing given the dire state of the country given Starmer and the idiots he surrounds himself in.
“These allegations, as far as I’m aware, no evidence has been brought, so this is dirty laundry.
Rupert LowePA“I want to see the party succeed but it’s difficult to be exciting when there’s this infighting with some of the finest members of the party.”
Yusuf and Anderson said in their statement that Lowe had “on at least two occasions made threats of physical violence” against Yusuf.
The statement said: "It is with regret that we feel obligated to disclose that the party received complaints from two female employees about serious bullying in the offices of the member of parliament for Great Yarmouth, Rupert Lowe."
It added: "Evidence was provided to us of workplace bullying, the targeting of female staff who raised concerns, and evidence of derogatory and discriminatory remarks made about women, including reference to a perceived disability.
"We feel we have a duty of care to all our staff, whether employed directly or indirectly. Accordingly, we appointed an independent King's Counsel to conduct an investigation into the veracity of these complaints. To date, Mr Lowe has yet to cooperate with this investigation.
"In addition to these allegations of a disturbing pattern of behaviour, Mr Lowe has on at least two occasions made threats of physical violence against our party chairman. Accordingly, this matter is with the police.
"Reform stands for the highest standards of conduct in public life, and we will apply these standards without fear nor favour, including within our own party."
