The Metropolitan Police have today confirmed they are dropping their investigation into claims that MP Rupert Lowe made threats against Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf, an allegation that has now been dismissed as baseless.
The claims, originally lodged by Mr Yusuf three months after the alleged incident, came just one day after Mr Lowe publicly criticised the Reform Party’s leadership.
Critics have raised serious questions over the timing of the complaint, with some describing it as politically motivated.
In a damning statement issued following the police decision, Rupert Lowe accused Reform UK of engaging in a “sinister attempt to weaponise the criminal justice system” in order to silence him.
Mr Lowe, 67, did not mince his words, calling out party figurehead Nigel Farage by name. “This was not normal political infighting. It was a sinister attempt to weaponise the criminal justice system against me – putting not just my political future, but my liberty at risk,” he said.
“All because I dared to raise constructive criticisms of Nigel Farage, stood firm on deporting illegal migrants, and pushed for Reform to be run democratically – not as a vehicle to stroke one man’s ego.”
Mr Lowe went on to allege a “brutal smear campaign” against him, claiming that senior figures within Reform UK briefed journalists that he had dementia and even targeted innocent staff members in their efforts to discredit him.
“For the sin of asking legitimate questions about the party’s direction, policies, and leadership, I was vilified and targeted,” he said. “I am ashamed to have shared a parliamentary platform with them. Ashamed to have trusted them. Ashamed to have called them friends.”
Taking direct aim at Reform UK’s leader, Mr Lowe added: “Farage is no leader – he is a coward and a viper. I feel deeply embarrassed that I ever thought he was the man to lead.”
He further claimed that if Mr Farage were ever to assume control of the British state, he would use that power “to crush dissent – as he has done time and again over the years.”
Mr Lowe’s extraordinary remarks culminated in a stark warning to voters: “For the good of our country, Nigel Farage must never be Prime Minister.”
He urged Reform UK supporters to reconsider their loyalty to the party, accusing the leadership of lacking basic standards of decency and professionalism. “They are not fit to lead. They are not fit to be MPs,” he declared.
“To the millions of decent Reform supporters – you must do what you believe is right. I, personally, could not remain in an organisation led by such men. They do not deserve your support, your time, your energy, your money, or your vote.”
He hinted at plans to spearhead a new political movement in the near future, promising an “alternative to the rotten leadership of Reform” that would be “credible, professional, decent, democratic and honest.”
Mr Lowe concluded by thanking his supporters, crediting them and his social media presence for shielding him against what he described as a campaign of character assassination. “Without your support, and without my social media platforms, I would have been buried by their smears. I truly mean it – thank you. You’ll be hearing a lot more from me, very soon.”
As the dust settles on a bitter row within Reform UK, attention is now turning to Zia Yusuf and the unanswered questions around his role in the failed complaint. The timing, content, and ultimate collapse of the police probe are likely to fuel further scrutiny of the party’s inner workings.
Rupert Lowe’s Statement:
Taxi driver says he was ‘the victim of assault ‘ when David Lammy and his wife ‘refused to pay £590 fare’ after driving them from Italy to French ski resort (daily mail) the taxi driver said he went to the local police station to lodge a complaint