UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – CPS drops threat case against ex-Reform MP Rupert Lowe, who slams Nigel Farage as a “viper” and vows legal action over what he calls a smear campaign.
As reported by The Independent, ex-Reform MP Rupert Lowe has labelled Nigel Farage a “coward and a viper” after being cleared of allegations he threatened the party chairman.
What did the Crown Prosecution Service decide about Rupert Lowe?
Last week, the Metropolitan Police forwarded a case to the CPS, which confirmed on Wednesday that no charges would be filed.
The CPS announced it would not pursue charges against Rupert Lowe after assessing the evidence submitted by the Reform Party.
It said they concluded a
“thorough and detailed review of the evidence about an allegation of threats” and “decided no criminal charges should be brought.”
What did Malcolm McHaffie say about the CPS decision on threat allegations?
Malcolm McHaffie, the head of the special crime division at the CPS, stated,
“Following a thorough and detailed review of the evidence in relation to an allegation of threats, we have decided that no criminal charges should be brought against a sitting MP.”
He said,
“Having considered a number of witness statements, we have concluded that there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.”
What did Rupert Lowe say about the CPS decision?
Rupert Lowe responded to the CPS ruling by alleging that Nigel Farage targeted him with a “brutal smear campaign.”
He said, “The Metropolitan Police have today confirmed that they are dropping their investigation into the false allegations that I made threats against the Reform Party chairman.”
Mr Lowe stated,
“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 said
“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,”
Adding,
“It’s my view that the police process was weaponised to silence a party colleague who raised reasonable concerns. If Farage were ever to control the vast power of the British state, I believe he would not hesitate to do to his adversaries what they have tried to do to me.”
In an appeal to millions of Reform supporters, Mr Lowe declared that Farage should never be prime minister and the party didn’t merit time or money.
He pledged that a new alternative to Reform on the British political scene would emerge “very soon,” stressing it would be “decent, democratic, and honest.”
What did the Reform leader say about Yusuf calling the police?
During an interview with GB News, the Reform leader expressed doubt over Mr Yusuf’s decision to call the police on Mr Lowe.
He added,
“It’s easy for journalists to just sit in the back… When you’re someone at the front line doing stuff, you do a hundred things. You might get one wrong.”
Mr Farage, in leaked WhatsApp messages to the BBC, stated that Mr Lowe was suspended for trying to “damage” the party before local elections.
How did Mr Lowe’s accusations against Farage spark Reform UK chaos?
In March, the Reform Party’s internal conflict became public when Mr. Lowe accused Mr. Farage of having “messianic” tendencies in a Daily Mail interview.
He said,
“We have to change from being a protest party led by the Messiah into being a properly structured party with a front bench, which we don’t have. We have to start behaving as if we are leading and not merely protesting.”
Mr Lowe stated,
“Nigel is a messianic figure who is at the core of everything but he has to learn to delegate, as not everything can go through one person.”
What did Richard Tice say about Mr Lowe’s comments on Farage?
In response to questions about Mr Lowe’s remarks, Richard Tice, Deputy Leader of Reform, said, “There’s no harm in a bit of challenge.”
Mr Tice stated,
“Rupert is doing a good job. He’s working hard. We’re all working hard. We’ve got a small number of MPs. We’re growing in the polls, and that’s because we’ve got the policies to get this country growing”
Before adding that Mr Lowe is
“a businessman, we’re all from the world of business, we get things done.”
He added,
“At the end of the day, I wouldn’t make those comments, but there’s no harm in a bit of challenge.”
What did Reform members say about Mr Lowe’s plans for a party takeover?
Within Reform, there are calls for Mr Lowe to either lead a party takeover or establish a fresh political movement on the right.
A councillor was suspended from Reform shortly after securing a seat in the local elections, after publicly stating her intention to defect once Mr Lowe established a rival political group.