An independent KC report, released today [25th March], has said there is “credible evidence” that Rupert Lowe and two male members of his staff harassed two female subordinates.
Jacqueline Perry KC, who was commissioned by Reform UK, has said there was “veracity in the complaints from both women.”
Both women complained of “considerable stress and suffering” due to alleged “sustained bullying and discriminatory conduct.” One woman is said to have seen her GP on a number of occasions due to stress related symptoms.
It is also claimed that the women were subject to undue scrutiny and criticism by their colleagues – which wasn’t levelled at male staff members for similar, or worse, transgressions.
In the case of one of the complainants, Perry outlines “unacceptable remarks” made about her over WhatsApp, describing her as “weird” and expressing a desire to “shake her off.”
The KC also criticised public pronouncements that “shed rather more heat than light on [her] job” and advised that Reform going forward should: “Be quite strict about ensuring that each member of the party is fully acquainted with the rules of Parliament as regards bullying.”
In response to the release of the report, Rupert Lowe said in a post on X: “There was no bullying. There never has been any bullying. Using such claims to damage me through my staff is shameful.”
“Both of these complainants admitted to serious offences, and both only raised any issues once the disciplinary process had started. Both then went on to admit other serious offences.”
“There is no evidence of any bullying, because there was none. No bullying, no aggressive behaviour, no violent threats. There are outright lies, unsurprisingly.”
