A legal review has cast doubt on the integrity and fairness of an internal investigation conducted by Reform UK into allegations against him.
It follows the Great Yarmouth MP losing the Reform whip after the party said it had received evidence of “serious bullying” and “derogatory” comments made about female members in the MP’s offices.
Mr Lowe, who has denied the allegations against him, was reported to the police over claims of verbal threats towards Reform chairman Zia Yusuf.
The review was carried out by a leading KC at Blackstone Chambers and highlights multiple procedural failures and questions the independence of the process.
Today’s report criticised the Reform investigation for lacking formal terms of reference. It also criticised the handling of evidence, with the investigator personally drafting witness statements for complainants based on their testimony.
Gemma White KC strongly criticised the process in the report, saying: “The investigator conducted lengthy telephone interviews with complainants and personally drafted formal witness statements on their behalf. This method created a risk of perceived bias and blurred the lines between the investigator and the complainants.”
Criticisms were also made of the fact that the final report was made public without prior notice to Lowe or others involved.
The report said a “Maxwellisation” process should have been followed that would have “given Mr. Lowe and any staff members named in the report a chance to respond to any criticisms before publication”.
The report added: “The failure to do so disregarded both due process and the duty of care owed to staff.”
In response to the findings, Lowe said: “I welcome the conclusions of this independent review. It confirms what I have said throughout — that the process was fundamentally flawed, unfair, and influenced by political motivations.
“In sixty-seven years, I have never seen such vile and unprofessional behaviour. My staff were publicly shamed without being given the chance to respond to false and damaging allegations.”
Lowe also accused Reform UK of using the investigation as a political weapon, suggesting it was retaliation for his criticism of party leader Nigel Farage: “I asked reasonable questions of Farage after months of pushing behind the scenes. My punishment for bruising his ego? A concerted smear campaign to ruin my name and reputation.”
Reform sources have pointed out that the investigation was instigated at the request Rupert Lowe. They also said White spoke only to Lowe and his staff to make her report, failing to reach out to Reform UK or any of the individuals who raised complaints about Lowe.
