Rupert Lowe has been suspended by Reform UK after being accused of "serious bullying" and making "two threats of physical violence".
Lowe, who was this week at loggerheads with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage over his leadership, lost the whip after two female employees accused the 67-year-old of "serious bullying" in both his parliamentary and constituency offices.
The complaints, which included allegations of derogatory comments about women and making reference to a perceived disability, have been taken to parliamentary authorities.
Lowe was also accused of making threats of "physical violence" against Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf on two separate occasions.
Rupert Lowe
PA
The Metropolitan Police confirmed its investigating claims Lowe threatened violence against Yusuf.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said "On Thursday, March 6, we received an allegation of verbal threats made by a 67-year-old man on Friday, December 13.
"Officers are carrying out an assessment of the allegations to determine what further action may be required."
Yusuf and the populist party's chief whip Lee Anderson confirmed that an independent King's Counsel is leading an investigation and alleged that Lowe has so far refused to cooperate with the probe.
In a statement, Yusuf and Anderson 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.
"One worked in his parliamentary office, the other in his constituency office, we understand complaints have been made to Parliamentary authorities.
"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.
Zia Yusuf
PA"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."
Lowe described the complaint as "malicious", adding that the Metropolitan Police had been contacted on the same day as his bombshell interview with The Daily Mail.
The decision to strip the Great Yarmouth MP of the Reform whip reduced the populist party's Commons contingent down to just four MPs, level with both Plaid Cymru and the Greens.
Following a lengthy 567-word statement, Lowe said: "I asked reasonable and constructive questions of Nigel Farage and Reform's leadership, following months of pushing for progress behind closed doors.
"The day after, I find a knife in my back over false allegations. Whip suspended. That tells you everything you need to know."
He also suggested Reform UK "messed up" its statement, adding: "These allegations against women are not about me."
Nigel Farage at the recent farmers' protest
PATonight's spat comes just days after Farage slapped down Lowe following a disagreement about the populist party's management.
Speaking to The Daily Mail, Lowe said: “It’s too early to know whether Nigel will deliver the goods.”
The Great Yarmouth MP also claimed Farage struggles to delegate and warned Reform will not win the next election if it continues as a "protest party led by the Messiah".
Firing back against the outspoken former Southampton FC chairman, Farage told The Sun: “We are not a protest party in any way at all.
"That is utterly wrong, utterly, completely wrong. We are an entirely positive party."
Farage even suggested his colleague "wants to be Prime Minister" and was gunning for his job.
When asked if Lowe would remain a Reform MP at the next election, the Clacton MP added: “I hope so, he seems to be taking a tone that suggests he won't accept us.”
