Rupert Lowe has released a statement attacking Reform UK leader Nigel Farage after the Great Yarmouth MP was suspended from the populist party over allegations of bulling and threatening physical violence.
The 67-year-old penned a 567-word response on social media, blasting the allegations as "vexatious" and drawing attention to his public spat with Farage earlier this week.
Lowe said: "I am disappointed, but not surprised, to read Reform's untrue and false allegations. Let me be abundantly clear - this investigation is based on zero credible evidence against me, as has been repeatedly stated by the neutral investigator. None has been provided.
"I have cooperated and spoken at length with the KC they instructed, at great cost to the party, to investigate a minor staff matter."
Rupert Lowe released a defiant statement
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Lowe also claimed that the lawyer was "dismayed" the statement from Reform had been published - and that the investigation had not even started.
He separately confirmed that he received an initial letter of complaint last Friday but claimed "no evidence [had been] provided".
"I have never made any derogatory comments about women, or those with disabilities," Lowe added.
"This is a lie. These allegations are not even referring to me. I will be seeking legal advice immediately."
Continuing his lengthy statement, Lowe wrote: "It is no surprise that this vexatious statement has been issued the day after my reasonable and constructive questions of Nigel and the Reform structure. It was issued on X late on a Friday afternoon, with no prior warning.
"All I stated was that communication needs to improve, delegation needs to improve, structure needs to improve - these are all reasonable requests of a party looking to form the next Government. I stand by everything I said."
In a parting shot to Farage, the Great Yarmouth MP concluded: "If they want to kick me out over false claims, they’ll have to finally present some credible evidence against me.
"There is none, as the KC has just told me. Again. A complete inability to accept even the most mild constructive criticism without such a malicious reaction is not effective leadership. This is our party as much as it is Nigel’s."
Lowe doubled-down on his claims shortly after losing the whip, describing the decision as like finding a "knife in my back".
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Nigel Farage at the recent farmers' protestPAHe also suggested Reform UK "messed up" its statement, adding: "These allegations against women are not about me."
In a subsequent social media post, Lowe shared a statement which he claimed he was advised to provide by the independent lawyer conducting the investigation.
"The party was precipitous to state that these allegations had been made without also saying that the party has commissioned an independent investigation and the investigation has not yet got underway to look at all the evidence and evaluate its veracity," the statement said.
The decision to strip the Reform whip from Lowe has brought the populist party down to just four MPs, putting it level with both Plaid Cymru and the Greens in the House of Commons.
The complaints levied against Lowe, which included allegations of derogatory comments about women and making reference to a perceived disability, have since 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.
Yusuf and the populist party's chief whip Lee Anderson confirmed that an independent King's Counsel is leading an investigation and claimed Lowe has so far refused to cooperate with the probe.
The Metropolitan Police has also launched an investigation into claims that Lowe threatened violence against Yusuf.
Rupert LowePAA 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."
Lowe described the complaints as "malicious", adding that the Metropolitan Police had only been contacted on the same day as his bombshell interview with The Daily Mail.
In a statement released ahead of Lowe's remarks, 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.
"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.
Zia YusufPA"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."
Tonight'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.”
