Nigel Farage suffers grassroots revolt as Reform UK’s membership drops ‘by thousands’ after Rupert Lowe bust-up

“They’re all in emails and they’re having to be processed now,” the insider said.

A number of vocal Reform UK members on social media have also claimed the process of cancelling their subscriptions is too complicated for it to immediately impact the populist party’s live ticker.

Reform’s former London Mayor candidate Howard Cox even claimed that the situation is leaving branches in a state of disarray, with associations stretching from Medway to Stafford and Esher to Amber Valley being impacted.

The civil war engulfing Reform UK appears to have taken its main front on social media.

Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf, who accused Lowe of threatening behaviour in an incident in December, has lost 5,000 X followers since Friday.

Meanwhile, Lowe has gained a staggering 20,000, boosting his overall following to 323,400.

Reform UK had hoped its exponential membership growth would put it on track to supplant Labour as Britain’s largest party, having surpassed the Tories on Boxing Day.

Labour registers around 309,000 members in its paid-up membership, putting it well-ahead of the 131,680 in the declining Tory Party’s grassroots.

REFORM UK’S RUPERT LOWE ROW – AS IT HAPPENED

• Andrew Pierce analysis: Reform row ‘reeks’ – and this is why
• Lawyer investigating Reform UK row denies statements attributed to them by Rupert Lowe in fresh twist
• Rupert Lowe hosted glitzy Reform donor dinner just hours before being ‘thrown under bus’ with police probe

Despite being able to post a festive-themed video mocking Kemi Badenoch over Reform’s membership achievement in December, the Lowe row threatens to knock the populist party off course.

Lowe has threatened legal action over Reform’s claims regarding his suspension.

A lengthy statement released on Friday confirmed the Great Yarmouth MP faces allegations of “serious bullying” and threatening behaviour.

The People’s Channel revealed over the weekend that Lowe even had to be “restrained” by Reform’s deputy leader Richard Tice after allegedly “manhandling” a Labour Minister.

However, Lowe continues to take broadside shots at Farage over his leadership of the revamped Brexit Party.

The ex-Southampton FC chairman warned that Reform UK would struggle to succeed in its bid to win the next election if it continues to be run by a “messianic” Farage.

He also told The Daily Mail that it was “too early” to tell if the Clacton MP would make a “good” Prime Minister.

Following a series of statements from both Lowe and the remaining Reform UK MPs, the 67-year-old railed against Farage over his vision for the populist party.

Lowe accused Farage of seeing Reform UK as his own party rather than “our party”.

However, Lowe’s comments about the independent KC voicing her “dismay” about the conduct of Reform UK in the opening hours of the scandal were rebuked over the weekend.

The lawyer told the BBC: “I have seen a number of statements made by Mr Lowe MP which are attributed to me and which describe my reactions to the process conducted by the party into the allegations.”

“I have not expressed either ‘dismay’ or ‘shock’ at any time as to the process,” the KC added.

In yet another twist, a top Tory confirmed today told the Daily Express that a senior Shadow Cabinet Minister has been in touch with Lowe about a potential defection.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp opened the door to the Great Yarmouth MP crossing the floor over the weekend, accusing Farage of displaying “despicable behaviour” towards the ex-Southampton FC chairman.

He told The Times: “He hasn’t applied but obviously we’re a broad and welcoming political party.

“People have been joining the Conservatives from across the political spectrum and we always welcome new joiners.”

Meanwhile, Reform UK’s deputy chairman Richard Tice appeared to close the door on Lowe returning to Reform.

“The whip has been withdrawn, and that should be the assumption,” Tice told GB News. “We’re driving forwards. We’re not holding back.

“We’ve got a job to do. We’ve got hundreds of seats to win in May. We’re not going to be distracted by this noise. And you know what? I don’t think the British people will be either.”

GB News has approached Reform UK for comment.