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Reform's Rupert Lowe suspended

(152 Posts)
Wyllow3 Fri 07-Mar-25 20:37:34

Reform MP Rupert Lowe - and Musk favourite - was suspended following allegations of verbal threats to party chair and two women

Reform UK has suspended Rupert Lowe and reported him to the police following complaints of bullying from two female staff members and allegations of violent threats against the party chair.

Mr Yusuf and Mr Anderson said in their statement that Mr Lowe had "on at least two occasions made threats of physical violence against" Mr Yusuf.

Mr Lowe, 67, has released a statement saying the allegations were "untrue and false", the accusations of physical threats were "outrageous and entirely untrue", and he referenced a "vexatious complaint" made by another staff member.

He has had the whip withdrawn. No longer a Reform MP

news.sky.com/story/reform-uk-mp-rupert-lowe-reported-to-police-over-alleged-threats-to-party-chair-13323564

Cossy Sun 09-Mar-25 11:58:43

eazybee

Rupert Lowe does not take his Parliamentary salary; it goes to local charities in his constituency.

Ah now that’s a completely different kettle of fish well done him. I cannot support Reform but this guy does seem decent!

Cossy Sun 09-Mar-25 12:02:04

Silverbrooks

I can’t help thinking this is all a lot of small willy-waving from an equally small group of deeply unpleasant man who think they are more significant than they are. The “save the country” hubris from Anderson is straight out of Drawbridge Yusuf’s book of sycophancy. And what is this “no man is bigger than our party” nonsense? Has Anderson even read the Reform constitution which makes it virtually impossible to get rid of Farage? The individual posturing in the Telegraph is pathetic but the comments are interesting. They show how unpopular Reform is. Farage’s worshipping of Agent Orange has done him no favours - and that they are all (bar McMurdock possibly) in the pay of Musk won’t either.

“Willy waving”

Love it and agree grin

pascal30 Sun 09-Mar-25 12:05:55

Casdon

I’ve noticed that Richard Tice has been remarkably quiet about this issue, I wonder where his sympathies lie?

Have a look at last Wed's Questiontime on BBC1 he was questioned about it..

Silverbrooks Sun 09-Mar-25 12:08:46

Ten minutes of duck and waffle from Tice on Sky with TP if you can stand it:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj97rHL2l7E

GrannyGravy13 Sun 09-Mar-25 12:12:14

I am rather suspicious of this entire charade

Not being a reform voter, I have read RL’s side of things, and it brings up more questions than answers.

I do admire him donating all his salary to charity though.

eazybee Sun 09-Mar-25 13:32:08

I watched Richard Tice on GB news this morning with Camilla Tominey, difficult to know what he thought as, she barely allowed him to finish a single sentence, reminding him curtly: 'this is MY show.'

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Sun 09-Mar-25 13:39:09

I did too eazybee. I think she got frustrated because he wouldn’t give a simple ‘yes or no’ to a straight question. “If Rupert Lowe is acquitted of these charges would you allow him to be reinstated into the Party?”

Waffle, waffle …. 🤷‍♀️

eazybee Sun 09-Mar-25 13:49:38

I don't think he would have any say in the matter!
(Don't know why I am sympathetic because I don't support Reform, just felt sorry for him when he was pushed out of the leadership but stayed loyal when Farage saw a chance of winning.)Andrew Pierce asked him did Farage discuss it with him before replacing him, and Tice tried to evade an answer, but Pierce just asked the same question gently several times interspersed with other questions, rather a better technique, until eventually he said they had 'discussed' it.
A sorry bunch, though.

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Sun 09-Mar-25 13:53:39

Probably right eazybee. Tice obviously stepped back for superstar Farage. The man of the people who is more recognised to front the brand.

However I think it’s tarnished now.

Wyllow3 Sun 09-Mar-25 13:55:35

How much is it a total personality clash/bids for power or disagreements over policy?

Silverbrooks Sun 09-Mar-25 13:57:14

I do admire him donating all his salary to charity though.

Really? It will cost him £3,140 a month after the higher rate tax relief he will be able to offest against his other substantial incomes. He brags about donating one month's salary to Great Yarmouth Football Club while accepting four free season tickets from them worth £1,000. Give with one hand, take with another.

In the last two months alone, he has earned £12,750 from Musk for ranting for five hours a month on X. Why not donate that which would be more than twice as much?

keepingquiet Sun 09-Mar-25 14:00:17

Thankyou Silverbrooks for re-dressing the balance.

They could manage to run a bath.

Mt61 Sun 09-Mar-25 14:01:37

Wyllow3

It doesn't sound like they are making it up to me:

Lee Anderson yesterday morning on X

"At Reform UK we have a monumental task on our hands in order to save our country.

There is a huge amount of pressure on Nigel and our team to deliver for the British public. I did not come into politics for personal gain, like my colleagues I stepped forward because I wanted to help save my country.

Joining Reform UK is the best thing I have ever done in politics and this is our last chance to turn things around in our country. But politics is a team game and we must work as a team. I was the first ever Reform UK MP and my first loyalty will always be to my country. I have a great deal of respect for Rupert Lowe and as his Chief Whip I have bent over backwards to be fair with him since he entered Parliament.

But his unwillingness to cooperate in an investigation into his behaviour has meant the Parliamentary party cannot function effectively whilst Rupert is a Reform UK MP.

There is far too much at stake and by not taking decisive action we would risk losing everything we have built up.

I bare no malice towards Rupert and to remove the whip was a deeply painful thing to do, but delivering for our country must come first and no man is bigger than our party.

Lee Anderson

Chief Whip"

Daily Mail yesterday "Rupert Lowe blasts Lee Anderson as a 'pathetic, vindictive' LIAR after chief whip said 'no man is bigger than our party' as Reform UK's civil war explodes"

7 hours ago "Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has defended the decision to suspend one of his MPs, as he warned against "constant infighting" within political parties.

Writing in the Telegraph, Farage acknowledged the row had "dented" the "sense of unity" in Reform but said it would have been "inconceivable" not to take action."

Reports 5 hours ago report on the internal row
www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/09/from-trump-whisperer-to-trouble-angry-reform-uk-mps-turn-on-farage

No it certainly doesn’t Wyllow3. They
need to get their act together if they want their party to continue. As for me I am completely off them, will not be voting next time round as I have no confidence in any of the politicians at the moment.

Wyllow3 Sun 09-Mar-25 14:46:26

Just noticed that Lee Anderson says he "bares no malice".
Pedant alert......

Allira Sun 09-Mar-25 15:05:26

Oh gosh, please don't bare anything, Lee! 😯

Silverbrooks Sun 09-Mar-25 15:16:17

Especially after bending over backwards.

Chocolatelovinggran Sun 09-Mar-25 16:29:26

Frankly, if we are relying on which - party- shall - I - belong -to -today Lee Anderson to " save our country " , his baring of any part of his anatomy will be the least of our problems . I do, however, acknowledge that it is rather a disturbing image.

Churchview Sun 09-Mar-25 17:34:58

My problem with Reform is their backing of 'country sports'.

Last week, whilst out walking with friends, I witnessed the horrifying spectacle of the hunt hounding a red stag to its death within feet of a public footpath on Exmoor.

Later this year when see Farage's smiling face as raises a boxing day pint to the hunt I will sadly know first hand exactly what he is condoning.

Iam64 Sun 09-Mar-25 18:20:18

I have more problems wuth Reform than it’s backing if ‘country sports’ Churchview. Having said that, if I was a supporter who witnessed the horrifying hounding to death of the stag,- my support would have ended.

Iam64 Sun 09-Mar-25 18:21:34

Chocolatelovinggran

Frankly, if we are relying on which - party- shall - I - belong -to -today Lee Anderson to " save our country " , his baring of any part of his anatomy will be the least of our problems . I do, however, acknowledge that it is rather a disturbing image.

Excellent entertaining posts about the Willy waving in Reform. Thanks everyone -mi needed a bit of light relief.

Cossy Sun 09-Mar-25 18:45:44

Silverbrooks

Especially after bending over backwards.

😂😂😂😂😂

Cossy Sun 09-Mar-25 18:56:23

Churchview

My problem with Reform is their backing of 'country sports'.

Last week, whilst out walking with friends, I witnessed the horrifying spectacle of the hunt hounding a red stag to its death within feet of a public footpath on Exmoor.

Later this year when see Farage's smiling face as raises a boxing day pint to the hunt I will sadly know first hand exactly what he is condoning.

There’s no need whatsoever for blood sports in our country.

I have no issue with either horses or hounds doing some form of “paper chase” whatsoever.

We are more civilised than this surely.

Shoot only to eat, or

Silverbrooks Sun 09-Mar-25 19:38:33

Tomorrow afternoon in the HoC could be interesting. Second reading of the Crime and Policing Bill which includes a section on implementing the recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse,. As Reform (including Lowe) have made a lot of noise about grooming, one would expect them (and Lowe as an independent) to be present for the debate on this.

MayBee70 Sun 09-Mar-25 19:56:27

Did they attend the first reading?

Churchview Sun 09-Mar-25 19:57:31

Iam64

I have more problems wuth Reform than it’s backing if ‘country sports’ Churchview. Having said that, if I was a supporter who witnessed the horrifying hounding to death of the stag,- my support would have ended.

The country sports issue isn't my only problem with Reform but it is definitely a key one for me.

I agree Casdon. What I unwittingly encountered was blatant animal cruelty, carried out by people out for a nice day out complete with smart tweed outfits, hunting horns and the sole intention of using their dogs and horses to chase magnificent wild creatures to their death.