Reform UK has said it has reported its own MP to police after he allegedly threatened party staff with violence.
Rupert Lowe is also being investigated over allegations of “serious bullying” towards two female employees, the party stated on Friday.
In a joint statement Reform Chairman, Zia Yusuf, and Chief Whip Lee Anderson said evidence of “derogatory and discriminatory remarks made about women” and the disabled was provided to the party.
Complaints are understood to have been made to Parliamentary authorities about the Great Yarmouth MP’s behaviour and Reform said it had appointed a senior barrister to conduct an independent probe.
The party claimed Mr Lowe “has yet to cooperate with this investigation”, which he denies.
The statement added: “In addition to these allegations of a disturbing pattern of behaviour, Mr Lowe has on at least two occasions made threats of physical violence against our Party Chairman.
“Accordingly, this matter is with the Police.”
Mr Lowe branded the allegations of physical threats “outrageous and entirely untrue”.
In a lengthy statement, he said: “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...She is dismayed that this statement has been made, and reiterated that no evidence against me has been sent to her.”
He added: “Allegations of physical threats are outrageous and entirely untrue. 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.”
It comes after Mr Lowe appeared to fallout with Nigel Farage this week when he said Reform remains a "protest party led by the Messiah" under his leadership.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Mr Lowe questioned the Reform leader’s approach and said he would need the "right people" around him to "deliver the goods".
Responding on TalkTV, Mr Farage said his colleague was "completely wrong".
Mr Lowe said on Friday: “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.
“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.”
He added: “Our voters, our members and our country all deserve so much better than this...A complete inability to accept even the most mild constructive criticism without such a malicious reaction is not effective leadership. This is our party as much as it is Nigel’s.”
