Reform UK has announced the suspension of MP Rupert Lowe, citing allegations of making "threats of physical violence" against party chairman Zia Yusuf.

The decision to suspend Lowe was made public alongside a statement from chief whip Lee Anderson, emphasizing the seriousness of the claims against him.

In addition to the threats, the party revealed it is investigating allegations of bullying involving Lowe's conduct in both parliamentary and constituency offices, with two female employees reportedly coming forward with complaints.

To facilitate the investigation, Reform UK has appointed a senior lawyer to conduct the inquiry, which is said to include concerns raised with parliamentary authorities.

Lowe responded to the allegations on social media platform X, labeling them as "untrue and false." He expressed disappointment regarding the situation and stated he would be seeking legal advice, asserting that there is "zero credible evidence" against him.

He indicated his suspension was a direct reaction to his public critiques of party leader Nigel Farage, made during a recent interview with a newspaper.

Reform UK, which succeeded Farage's Brexit Party, has seen fluctuating levels of support in recent polls.

However, Lowe's suspension marks a significant internal conflict within the party, which currently has five MPs in the House of Commons, effectively reducing its numbers.

In an interview earlier in the week, Lowe criticized the party's leadership under Farage, referring to it as a "protest party led by the Messiah." This prompted a strong rebuttal from Farage, who dismissed Lowe’s comments as "completely wrong," asserting that Reform UK is actively pursuing its political agenda rather than merely existing as a protest movement.

Following the withdrawal of the party whip, Lowe will now serve as an independent MP. He reiterated his belief that his questioning of the party's direction was reasonable and necessary, and he characterized the accusations against him as unfounded attempts to stifle discourse within the party.

A spokesperson from the Metropolitan Police confirmed that they are investigating an allegation of verbal threats made by a 67-year-old man, connected to incidents on December 13, 2024. Police are currently assessing the allegations to determine if further action is warranted.

The party's statement mentioned that Lowe has so far not cooperated with the investigation initiated following the allegations.

It additionally emphasized that these claims do not arise from the public disagreements between Lowe and Farage, according to a source within Reform UK.

In a series of messages on social media, Lowe claimed to have cooperated with the party’s legal representative and publicly invited Farage to dinner to discuss their differences, noting he has extended this offer multiple times in the past with no response.

Tim Montgomerie, a former Conservative commentator who joined Reform UK last December, indicated that tensions between Lowe and Farage had been evident from his arrival and suggested that such a conflict was likely to escalate.