Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice has been grilled after the timing of Rupert Lowe's suspension appeared "malicious".
GB News host Camilla Tominey pointed out that Lowe lost the Reform whip shortly after being involved in a spat with Nigel Farage over his leadership.
Lowe was suspended on Friday over allegations of bullying and threats of physical violence, which he strongly denies.
The suspension has reduced Reform's Commons contingent to just four MPs, putting the populist party level with Plaid Cymru and the Greens.
The Deputy of Reform faced a fierce grilling from Camilla Tominey
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Tice maintained that the Reform had been trying to manage ongoing difficulties with Lowe for some time.
Speaking on The Camilla Tominey Show, Camilla said: "Honestly, the timing doesn't just look coincidental. It looks a little bit malicious."
Tice responded: "The allegations refer to something that happened in December."
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Camilla added: "You come out with the statement on Thursday after Rupert Lowe has questioned whether Nigel Farage is fit to be prime minister.
"There was no need to release the statement immediately after that interview. These allegations refer to something from December, so of course, the timing looks deeply suspicious, and it suggests you've mishandled it."
Tice retorted: "We’ve actually done the appropriate and responsible thing. There was a further threat made to him literally last week.
"I’m not going to go into any details of that, but ultimately, as chairman, he has significant responsibilities. Imagine if we had done the opposite. Imagine if we’d brushed this all under the carpet."
He further explained: "What I know is, for example, we’re all working incredibly hard.
"We’ve got the May elections on May 1. While we’re doing this hard work, for example, Rupert’s not even been to our head office just down the road. He’s shown no interest in the elections. We need a united team that is going to drive forward."
Camilla said: "Well, it’s not very united to be airing your dirty laundry in public. It’s an unedifying war of words. Rupert on X. Nigel Farage in the Sunday Telegraph. It looks amateurish if you’re looking to be a professional party. Are you a grievance party or a governance party?"
He responded: "We are a party with the right policies to save this country."
Rupert Lowe has been suspended over bully allegations GETTYLowe has denied all the allegations and claimed that there is a "witch-hunt" after him.
Reform has already received warnings that continued divisions could impact financial support.
Mohamed Amersi, a former Tory donor who paid £25,000 to attend a Reform fundraiser in January, said: "If these divisions continue until the time of the election, they will not be electable and people will not fund it."
Reform insiders appear determined to prevent Lowe's return, with one telling the Daily Mail: "Rupert can complain all he likes, but he won't be getting the whip back."
