Rupert Lowe report details 'credible' claims of bullying

Two women who worked for Rupert Lowe, the former Reform UK MP who was suspended from the party earlier this month, gave "credible" evidence of bullying or harassment by him and his team, according to a report from a KC hired by the party.

- Peter Walker

The report also disputed Lowe's statement that the women had made complaints only after they faced internal disciplinary proceedings against them, saying the timeline of events showed this was "incorrect".

Lowe, who the KC said had refused to engage with the inquiry process, immediately rejected the findings, calling them "outright lies".

The lengthy report, compiled by Jacqueline Perry KC, a senior barrister who was paid by Reform, follows a bitter row between Lowe, the Great Yarmouth MP, and Nigel Farage, Reform's leader, with Lowe being stripped of the party whip on 7 March.

Reform said Lowe had been subject to the two complaints of bullying, and also that he had made threats against the party chair, Zia Yusuf. The second matter is being examined by the Metropolitan police and formed no part of Perry's report.

Her report details complaints made by two of Lowe's staff: one, his Westminster office manager, who had spent 14 years previously working in parliament; and the other a case worker in his constituency office.