Nigel Farage branded Rupert Lowe’s behaviour ‘disgusting’ and ‘contemptable’ after he was suspended by Reform – prompting his leadership rival to accuse him of having ‘zero integrity’
Leaked WhatsApp messages reveal the scale of Nigel Farage’s anger at Reform leadership rival Rupert Lowe as the party descended into civil war.
The jetsetting party leader branded Mr Lowe’s behaviour “disgusting” and “contemptable” after suspending him. Mr Lowe, who sparked the feud by questioning Mr Farage’s leadership in a blistering interview, said the WhatsApps show the party leadership have “zero integrity”.
Reform insists Mr Lowe was suspended because of allegations about his behaviour. But when questioned by a party activist on why the MP had been removed before a lawyer had completed an investigation, Mr Farage replied: “Because he is damaging the party just before elections. Disgusting.”
After seeing the messages, obtained by the BBC, Mr Lowe said: “These messages unquestionably prove that the Reform leadership has zero integrity. Nigel Farage must never become prime minister.”
It comes after The Mirror revealed the Reform leader had jetted off to the US to speak at a MAGA fundraiser rather than prepare for local elections. The vicious spat between the two right-wingers played out in public after Mr Lowe likened Mr Farage to a “Messiah” and hinted he might not stand alongside him at the next election.
READ MORE: Nigel Farage’s Reform recruit shared Tommy Robinson video and questioned female police
The following day Reform announced he had been suspended and reported to police over allegations he threatened chairman Zia Yusuf with violence. The party also made allegations of bullying of Parliamentary staff – all of which Mr Lowe denies.
After being kicked out, he branded it a “malicious witch hunt” and challenged for members to be given a say on whether he is allowed to return. Mr Farage told the BBC the newspaper attack on Reform was “separate but dreadful”.
And Reform deputy leader Richard Tice – who was demoted from the top job last year when Mr Farage returned to frontline politics – has insisted Mr Lowe’s public comments were not the reason for his suspension. Mr Lowe was thrust into the spotlight in January when Elon Musk singled him out as a possible new Reform leader after saying the current boss should step down.
Mr Lowe posted on Twitter/X: “They atempted to brutalise my character, all because I reaised legitimate and constructive concerns in that article. Read the BBC investigation, and Farage’s words, and make your own mind up.
“I am horrified that this has been allowed to happen. These messages unquestionably prove that the Reform leadership has zero integrity. I have no faith that their ‘investigation’ is beign conducted in a fair manner.”
In one of his messages, Mr Farage branded Mr Lowe “contemptable”. and in another said Reform was “definitely damaged” within two weeks of nominations.
But he then insisted the Mail interview was a “side issue”. A member of Mr Lowe’s staff described the Reform leader as “thin skinned and egotistical”.
Mr Farage was absent from the Commons for PMQs on Wednesday – even as Keir Starmer poked fun at him being unable even to lead a “party that would fit in the back of a taxi.”
On Monday he told party members this week he’d be away from London for a “very, very long time…canvassing, campaigning and doing our best” until the local elections in May.
Instead, the Mirror understands he has again flown to the United States to headline the Republican Party of Florida’s Disruptors Dinner in Tallahassee, tomorrow night.
The cheapest seats at the dinner cost $450 – but well-heeled Trump fans can pay up to $25,000 for ‘sponsor’ status – granting access to a “VIP reception with Nigel Farage ”
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