KC questions Reform UK’s ‘influence’ on Rupert Lowe investigation
A KC has questioned whether an investigation into MP Rupert Lowe was conducted “independently of the influence” of Reform UK, in a review commissioned on behalf of the suspended politician.
Mr Lowe said the “independent review” showed the investigation conducted on behalf of the party was “fundamentally flawed, unfair, and influenced by political motivations”.
Reform UK said last month that an “independent KC” had found “credible evidence of unlawful harassment of two women by both Mr Lowe and male members of his team”.
The Great Yarmouth MP lost the Reform whip after the party said it had received evidence of “serious bullying” and “derogatory” remarks made about women in the MP’s offices.
Verbal threats
Mr Lowe, who has repeatedly denied the allegations against him, was also reported to the police over allegations of verbal threats towards Reform chairman Zia Yusuf.
A review, commissioned by law firm Irwin Mitchell LLP on behalf of Mr Lowe and published on Friday, claimed the KC who investigated the politician had “produced” witness statements on behalf of the complainants following lengthy telephone interviews.
It added that “no terms of reference were ever set by the party” and that the report was provided to Reform before the expiry of the deadline set for Mr Lowe to respond to allegations made against him.
The author of the review, named as Gemma White KC, wrote: “In addition to being unfair to Mr Lowe the sequence of events which led up to provision of the report to the party gives rise to real questions as to the extent to which the KC conducted the investigation independently of the influence of the party.”
Ms White claimed it was not apparent that the KC who conducted the investigation commissioned by Reform, named in the party’s report as Jacqueline Perry, had “recent experience” conducting independent investigations into allegations of bullying and harassment.
‘Vile’
Following the publication of the review, Mr Lowe said: “In 67 years, I have never seen such vile and unprofessional behaviour. Including, but not limited to, publicly shaming my staff without even giving them the opportunity to respond to the false and damaging allegations.
“Reform has proven itself not only unfit to govern but unfit to sit in the House of Commons. To handle such a basic process in a hideously unprofessional and malicious manner is simply unacceptable.
“I asked reasonable questions of (party leader Nigel) Farage, after months of pushing behind the scenes. My punishment for bruising his ego? A concerted smear campaign to ruin my name and reputation.
“Nigel Farage must never be prime minister.”
Mr Lowe was one of five MPs elected for Reform in last year’s election.
Reform UK has been approached for comment.
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Thank you for this A person I knew nothing about until now but it’s hardly a surprise to me. If this party was to win a Westminster majority, the whole of this island will be dragged into the cess pit of moral bankruptcy it inhabits.
That was an eye opener.
‘Vile’. A perfectly chosen word. The man who used it is a willing member of a vile hate movement which kicked HIM out, HE did not leave of his own accord, and he is an intrinsic part of this band of thugs which he says are not fit to be in the House of Commons. He’s right in what he says but he’s wrong to tell us that HE is somehow different from them. ‘Reputation’? Someone will have to explain that one. I despair.
What does this say about a potential Reform government? The shutting down and abuse of the US judiciary by the Trump administration, which Farage looks to for inspiration should be a warning to us all.