Nigel Farage has privately condemned the actions of suspended Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe as “disgusting” and “contemptible” in leaked WhatsApp messages, exposing deep internal divisions within the party.
The messages, seen by a source, reveal Farage’s anger following Lowe’s critical comments about Reform UK in an interview with the Daily Mail. Farage accused Lowe of “damaging the party just before elections” and dismissed any connection between his suspension and his remarks to the press.
Reform UK maintains that Lowe was suspended due to allegations of bullying and threats of violence against party chairman Zia Yusuf—claims which Lowe vehemently denies.
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Escalating party tensions
In the Daily Mail interview on 5 March, Lowe described Reform UK as a “protest party” led by “the Messiah,” referring to Farage. Just two days later, on 7 March, he was suspended and subsequently reported to the police.
Reform UK claimed it had also received reports of misconduct in Lowe’s office, but he has dismissed all allegations, calling them a “malicious witch hunt” aimed at removing him for questioning the party’s direction.
Responding to the latest revelations, Lowe posted on social media:
“These messages unquestionably prove that the Reform leadership has zero integrity. Nigel Farage must never become prime minister.”
Farage defended the suspension, telling a source:
“The suspension was to protect the party, simple. The newspaper attack on Reform UK is separate but dreadful.”
He has previously insisted that the party has a duty to investigate allegations of misconduct.
Leaked messages expose Farage’s frustration
Despite official denials that Lowe’s suspension was linked to his Daily Mail comments, leaked WhatsApp exchanges suggest otherwise.
In one message, Farage calls Lowe “contemptible.” When asked why Reform had not allowed a legal investigation to be completed before suspending him, Farage replied:
“Because he is damaging the party just before elections. Disgusting.”
When the activist—who is not currently a party member—suggested that the suspension was politically motivated, Farage admitted:
“We are definitely damaged and within two weeks of nominations. Awful.”
However, he also stated that the Daily Mail interview was a “side issue” and that the party had to investigate the claims against Lowe.
These messages highlight the growing hostility between Reform UK’s leadership and Lowe’s allies.
Staff speak out
A number of Lowe’s former staff, including those with long-standing ties to Farage, have expressed disillusionment. One staff member said:
“Nigel is thin-skinned and egotistical. I have spent years defending him, but the aura has gone for me now. Reporting Rupert to the police? Come on. They’re trying to put him in prison!”
Another claimed that the fallout was triggered by tech billionaire Elon Musk’s praise for Lowe on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting:
“Nigel is very sensitive about his American contacts.”
A different staffer criticised the party’s approach, stating:
“It is absolutely terrible for the party to go to the police. You’d never find someone more kind and considerate than Rupert. If you don’t have policies as a party, you’re a joke, and that is what Rupert was pointing out.”
Allegations of workplace misconduct
The dispute extends beyond political disagreements. Reform UK has reportedly seen lengthy exchanges between Lowe’s office and Parliament’s human resources team regarding the conduct and departures of two staff members.
Lowe insists that all procedures were followed correctly and argues that there was no need for the party or an external lawyer to intervene.
Reform UK’s struggles and infighting
Reform UK has grown rapidly, now boasting over 200,000 members and ranking high in national opinion polls. However, internal divisions threaten to undermine its progress.
Farage has publicly acknowledged the impact of infighting, which has overshadowed the party’s electoral ambitions.
Lowe maintains that his removal was politically motivated, stating:
“Farage has admitted himself, in writing, that the motivation behind my removal was the Daily Mail interview, in which I raised reasonable and constructive questions about Reform’s structure, policy, and communication—after months of pushing for change behind the scenes.
“That interview is why they designed and launched their horrific smear campaign against me. It is evil behaviour. Nigel Farage must never be Prime Minister. All I have done is tell the truth, and I will continue to do so.”
Handling the fallout
In the leaked WhatsApp conversations, Farage is asked whether the situation could have been handled differently. He responds that, given the bullying allegations,
“In the current world, we have to take this seriously and be seen to take this seriously.”
With the party’s credibility now under scrutiny, Reform UK faces a challenging road ahead as it tries to contain the damage from this internal dispute.
