Rupert Lowe branded Nigel Farage a “cult leader” after being ousted from Reform UK amid a party civil war and allegations about his conduct.
Rupert Lowe has issued Nigel Farage a brutal warning (Image: Getty)
Former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe has branded Nigel Farage a “cult leader” and threatened to start his own rival party – a move which could spark panic in the party after its recent electoral success. It’s the latest in a string of blistering attacks levelled at Mr Farage since Mr Lowe was suspended from Reform earlier this year amid allegations of misconduct, which he denies. The now-Independent MP for Great Yarmouth told The Daily T podcast that he was thinking about starting his own political party, as a “satisfactory alternative” to Farage’s “mobile PR machine”.
“Farage is leading a cult, I might start my own party,” he said in an 11-word warning to Reform. Mr Lowe has repeatedly refuted allegations that he made verbal threats against Reform chairman Zia Yusuf. He attacked Farage as a “coward and a viper” after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed that no charges would be brought against him earlier this month.
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The Reform civil war broke out earlier this year (Image: Getty)
Mr Lowe was also accused of “serious bullying” in his parliamentary and consistuency officers by two female employees before he had the whip removed in March.
The inter-party conflict followed an interview with the Daily Mail in which the MP criticised Reform’s policy-forming process, suggesting that its leader had a “messianic” approach.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk also drew a wedge between the two politicians after he called for Mr Farage to be replaced as Reform leader, suggesting that Mr Lowe was better suited for the role.
The Great Yarmouth MP hinted at a new political venture in his first statement after it was confirmed he wouldn’t face criminal charges, urging voters to turn their backs on Reform and prepare for a new option “very soon”.
“They do not deserve your support, your time, your energy, your money or your vote,” he said. “Mere reform is inadequate – we need radical, principled change.”
It comes after insiders warned that Reform could be vulnerable to further internal ruptures after its success in the May 1 elections, including Sarah Pochin becoming MP for Runcorn and Helsby and Andrea Jenkyns becoming mayor of Greater Lincolshire.
Conservative sources told the Express: “Farage is obviously jubilant. But once the glow of victory dims, Nigel will be hoping Sarah Pochin and Andrea Jenkyns toe the line.”
Ex-Reform UK spin doctor Gawain Towler insisted that the party’s ascent was continuing to send shivers up the spine of Tory party officials, however – going so far as to suggest they were counting on Mr Farage’s “smoking and drinking” causing an untimely death before the 2029 election.
