How Nigel Farage vs Rupert Lowe bitter feud unfolded daily | Politics | News | EUROtoday

The long-running battle between Reform UK chief Nigel Farage and former ally Rupert Lowe took one other explosive activate Friday, when Mr Lowe claimed to have proof an inquiry accusing him of harassment was flawed. Mr Lowe accused Reform of behaving “in a hideously unprofessional and malicious manner” and insisted: “Nigel Farage must never be prime minister.”

The Great Yarmouth MP was one in every of 5 Reform MPs elected in 2024 however now sits in Parliament as an impartial. But the feud has been occurring for months and right here’s a full timeline:

January

Elon Musk posted on-line that Mr Farage “doesn’t have what it takes” to guide Reform UK.

The tech billionaire appeared to counsel that Mr Lowe ought to take over as Reform UK’s chief, including: “I have not met Rupert Lowe but his statements online that I have read make a lot of sense.”

March 6

Mr Farage hit again at Mr Lowe after the Great Yarmouth MP mentioned he was unsure if his “messianic qualities” made him a superb chief.

Mr Lowe mentioned in an interview that it was “too early to know whether Nigel will deliver” and known as for a “proper plan to change the way we govern from top to bottom” earlier than the subsequent election.

Mr Farage instructed TalkTV that, with out his private following, the social gathering wouldn’t have gained any of its 5 seats in Parliament in July.

He additionally mentioned there wouldn’t have been a “cat’s chance in hell” of Mr Lowe profitable his seat.

March 7

Reform UK suspended Mr Lowe and reported him to the police, accusing him of threatening violence in direction of social gathering chairman Zia Yusuf.

Scotland Yard mentioned a criticism of “verbal threats” made on March 6 about an alleged incident final December was being assessed by officers.

In an announcement, Reform mentioned it had acquired proof of “serious bullying” and “derogatory” remarks made about ladies within the MP’s places of work, with two separate staffers mentioned to have made allegations.

Mr Lowe denied the claims, describing the assertion as “vexatious” and saying the criticism to police “obviously went in just after I asked reasonable questions of Reform’s leadership”.

The Great Yarmouth MP urged his supporters to remain within the social gathering as he criticised the social gathering management for a “complete inability to accept even the most mild constructive criticism without such a malicious reaction”.

March 8

Mr Lowe asks Mr Farage to “have dinner” with him after dropping the Reform UK whip.

In a message posted on X, Mr Lowe pressed considerations about communication within the social gathering, and mentioned: “I can only smash my head against a brick wall for so long.”

Writing in The Telegraph, Mr Farage mentioned the general public “does not like political parties that engage in constant infighting”.

He mentioned the allegations had “dented” the “sense of unity” Reform had been constructing.

March 9

Mr Lowe mentioned he was “warned” by management figures in Reform UK about being “outspoken on the need for a large number of deportations”.

Reform UK deputy chief Richard Tice mentioned it was the “right and proper” determination to carry an impartial investigation into allegations of bullying in Mr Lowe’s places of work.

He mentioned complaints “have to be dealt with in the proper and responsible way” and instructed that individuals would have been “raging” if the matter had been brushed “under the carpet”.

The lawyer appointed to research claims in opposition to Mr Lowe denied making statements that the MP attributed to them.

The KC instructed the BBC that they discover themselves “in the unfortunate and regrettable position” of getting to right the file.

March 11

Mr Lowe instructed he was suspended by Reform UK for being a “tall poppy” who threatened to overshadow Mr Farage because the chief claimed there had been a “behavioural problem” for months.

A police investigation was launched into claims of “verbal threats” allegedly made by MP Rupert Lowe.

The Metropolitan Police wouldn’t determine the topic of the allegations however launched an announcement that mentioned: “The Metropolitan Police have now launched an investigation into an allegation of a series of verbal threats made by a 67-year-old man.”

The power mentioned it was claimed that the alleged threats have been made between December 2024 and February 2025, and that inquiries have been ongoing.

March 20

Mr Lowe mentioned Mr Farage “must never become prime minister” after the social gathering chief allegedly known as his behaviour “disgusting” and “contemptible” in leaked non-public messages.

Mr Farage accused Mr Lowe of “damaging the party just before elections” in a WhatsApp dialog with a member of the Great Yarmouth MP’s workers, the BBC reported.

In his newest assault on Reform, Mr Lowe mentioned: “These messages unquestionably prove that the Reform leadership has zero integrity.”

He added: “I will not work with the rotten and deceitful Reform leadership … Nigel Farage must never be prime minister.”

March 25

An impartial KC discovered “credible evidence of unlawful harassment of two women” by Mr Lowe and “male members of his team”, Reform UK mentioned.

In a put up on X, Mr Lowe mentioned Reform was “shamefully attacking my innocent staff to smear my name”.

He added: “This is not right. It’s unprecedented in modern British politics.”

April 4

A KC questioned whether or not an investigation into Mr Lowe was carried out “independently of the influence” of Reform UK, in a evaluation commissioned on behalf of the suspended politician.

Mr Lowe mentioned the “independent review” confirmed the investigation carried out on behalf of the social gathering was “fundamentally flawed, unfair, and influenced by political motivations”.