The MP for Great Yarmouth had his whip suspended by Lee Anderson MP after he was accused of workplace bullying by two female employees, and reported to the Metropolitan police over alleged threats of physical violence towards Party Chairman Zia Yusuf.
The fallout has caused a divide in the party with Nigel Farage, leader of reform, saying he is aware that the current row has badly affected the party's unity. Whilst the Met is investigating the allegations made against Lowe, the now independent MP has claimed repeatedly on X (formerly Twitter) that the investigation is a “malicious witch hunt”.
Lowe claims that the investigations against him are part of a smear campaign after he questioned Reform’s leadership and policies. He says that Farage and Reform tried to stop him speaking out about “Pakistani rape gangs” and wanted him to refrain from using the phrase “mass deportations” which Lowe states he will not do.
Lowe also responded to claims that he wouldn’t cooperate with the investigation, saying that he had spoken to the Parliamentary KC repeatedly and has been told that no credible evidence has been given. His staff have also defended him, signing a letter that spoke favourably of Lowe as an employer and claiming that the workplace bullying allegations came as a retaliation.
The suspension may spell trouble for the future of the Reform Party, as losing one MP less than a year after the General Election leaves them with as many MPs as the Green Party. It has also presented an opportunity for party members to split, with some choosing to stay with Reform, and some leaving out of solidarity with Lowe.
Amongst Lowe’s supporters is the American billionaire and Trump’s right hand man, Elon Musk, who has suggested on X that he is prepared to back Lowe over Farage in the future.