REFORM UK MP Rupert Lowe has been reported to the police by his own party.
Lowe said there is “zero credible evidence” behind bullying allegations made against him.
Reform UK had said it was investigating the party’s MP for Great Yarmouth over allegations of bullying towards two female employees.
He was also accused of having “on at least two occasions made threats of physical violence” to Reform chairman Zia Yusuf, who said the matter was now “with the police”.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “On Thursday 6 March we received an allegation of verbal threats made by a 67-year-old man on Friday 13 December.
“Officers are carrying out an assessment of the allegations to determine what further action may be required.”
In a statement on Friday, Yusuf and Reform UK chief whip Lee Anderson MP said that the party had received complaints from two female employees about serious bullying in the offices of Lowe.
The pair said: “One worked in his Parliamentary office, the other in his constituency office, we understand complaints have been made to Parliamentary authorities.
“Evidence was provided to us of workplace bullying, the targeting of female staff who raised concerns and evidence of derogatory and discriminatory remarks made about women, including reference to a perceived disability.
“We feel we have a duty of care to all our staff, whether employed directly or indirectly.
“Accordingly, we appointed an independent King’s Counsel to conduct an investigation into the veracity of these complaints."
Lowe described the statement as “vexatious”, and said it was “no surprise” that it had come a day after he criticised Reform leader Nigel Farage.
In a lengthy statement posted on Twitter/X, Lowe said: “I am disappointed, but not surprised, to read Reform’s untrue and false allegations. Let me be abundantly clear – this investigation is based on zero credible evidence against me, as has been repeatedly stated by the neutral investigator. None has been provided.
“I have cooperated and spoken at length with the KC they instructed, at great cost to the party, to investigate a minor staff matter.
“I have just spoken to the KC. She is dismayed that this statement has been made, and reiterated that no evidence against me has been sent to her. She stated that this has been issued before the investigation has even started.
“She is shocked at the process, shocked at the communication from the party, and shocked that no credible evidence has been given, despite her repeated requests.
“I was sent an initial letter late on Friday afternoon last week, again with no evidence provided, with no prior warning and no attempt to understand the full position.
“Allegations of physical threats are outrageous and entirely untrue."
Lowe (above) added: “I have never made any derogatory comments about women, or those with disabilities. This is a lie. These allegations are not even referring to me. I will be seeking legal advice immediately.
“There is no credible evidence against me, as the KC has stated on numerous occasions.
“It is no surprise that this vexatious statement has been issued the day after my reasonable and constructive questions of Nigel and the Reform structure. It was issued on X late on a Friday afternoon, with no prior warning.
“All I stated was that communication needs to improve, delegation needs to improve, structure needs to improve – these are all reasonable requests of a party looking to form the next Government. I stand by everything I said.
“I have been pushing for this behind the scenes for many months, with zero success. I have been frozen out of meetings, policy discussions, press conferences and more. My repeated requests for better communication and regular meetings have been ignored and mocked.
“Honestly, I have tried and tried – and will continue to try. I did not speak publicly without exhausting all other options, repeatedly. I have done everything in my power to resolve this behind closed doors. Sadly, I failed.
“Our voters, our members and our country all deserve so much better than this.”
