The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into suspended Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe over allegations he made “verbal threats” against the populist party’s chairman Zia Yusuf.
Lowe, 67, was reported to Scotland Yard by Reform UK on March 6 regarding an incident from December last year.
However, the Metropolitan Police confirmed its investigation will cover other allegations of threatening behaviour.
Confirming an investigation is now underway, a Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Our original statement referred to alleged threats made in December 2024.
Rupert LowePA“We would like to clarify that when this matter was reported to us it referred to a series of alleged threats made between December 2024 and February 2025. Further enquiries are ongoing at this stage.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage just yesterday alleged that Lowe had made a number of threats over several months.
“There has been a behavioural problem for some months,” Farage said. “Outbursts, anger, that sort of thing. Frankly, I have tried to put it to the back of my mind, we all have.”
Lowe, who was suspended by Reform UK on March 7, was accused of serious bullying and making threats of physical violence in a bombshell statement released on Friday.
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Zia Yusuf and Nigel Farage have been accused of ‘lying through their teeth’ in an attempt to ‘destroy’ LowePAThe statement, which was penned by Yusuf and Reform UK’s chief whip Lee Anderson, claimed it had received evidence from staff of “derogatory and discriminating remarks made about women”.
It also alleged Lowe had made threats of physical violence to Yusuf “on at least two occasions”.
The Great Yarmouth MP denies the allegations, labelling the claims as “vexatious” while suggesting they come after he raised “reasonable and constructive questions” about Farage.
Responding to the latest update from Scotland Yard, Lowe said: “I have instructed lawyers to represent me in this matter. My lawyers have made contact with the Met Police, and have made them aware of my willingness to co-operate in any necessary investigation.
“My lawyers have not yet received any contact from the police. It is highly unusual for the police to disclose anything to the media at this stage of an investigation.
“I remain unaware of the specific allegations, but in any event, I deny any wrongdoing. The allegations are entirely untrue.”
Nigel FarageGETTYHowever, Lowe’s initial suspension from Reform UK came just days after an explosive interview in The Daily Mail saw the 67-year-old break ranks with Farage.
He described Reform’s leader as a “Messiah” and failed to give Farage his full support looking ahead to the next General Election.
Lowe, who is being urged by fellow ex-Reform UK bigwig Ben Habib to set up a rival outfit to challenge Farage, regularly voices his thoughts on the situation on social media.
However, Lowe was dealt a blow after appearing to misrepresent what the Reform-appointed KC had been saying about the inquiry.
Responding to Lowe’s social media updates, the KC 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 made against both Mr Lowe MP and his constituency manager.
“I find myself in the unfortunate and regrettable position of having to make this statement to correct the record.”
The lawyer added: “I have not expressed either ‘dismay’ or ‘shock’ at any time as to the process. Nor have I said ‘there is zero credible evidence against [Mr Lowe]’, let alone said this ‘repeatedly’.”
Anderson, who stripped Lowe of the whip shortly after the allegations went public on Friday, added: “Setting The Record Straight. The independent KC investigating the allegations has already publicly rebuked Mr Lowe for making false claims.
“As the KC’s statement makes clear, the written complaints include allegations about the conduct of Mr Lowe. I ask that Mr Lowe respects the independence of the investigation and refrains from making further false public statements.”