By GB News (Politics) | Created at 2025-03-10 11:30:48 | Updated at 2025-03-10 14:14:42
3 hours ago
Reform UK's former deputy leader Ben Habib sent a "prescient" text message to Rupert Lowe just days before his suspension, GB News can reveal.
Habib, who was sacked by Nigel Farage in July 2024, messaged Lowe on February 28 as tensions between the Great Yarmouth MP and the Reform UK leader ratcheted up ahead of his eventual suspension on March 7.
Revealing Habib's message live on Britain's Newsroom, GB News's Andrew Pierce said: "Can I just read to you a text that you sent to Rupert Lowe at the end of February which seems incredibly prescient?"
In his 131-word message, Habib wrote: "The drumbeat of the rift between you and Reform is getting louder. Many people asking me/telling me.
Ben Habib discussing his message to Rupert Lowe on GB News
GB NEWS
"Needless to say, don't allow them to throw you out and thereby control the narrative. They'll find some cock and bull story to justify their decision and any defence you offer will be dismissed as being wrong, bitter and twisted.
"If the rift is irreconcilable, as most are with Nigel, you should take control of events and resign. Then you control the narrative and the truth behind your rift will win over their lies.
"I know the above is obvious but I'd kick myself if I didn't mention it and events then unfolded in their favour. Happy to chat if you'd like. What a shame Nigel cannot be a team player."
The message was sent just seven days before Lowe was suspended following accusations of serious bullying and threatening behaviour.
Lowe, who later lost the Reform whip, denies the allegations and claims his comments in an interview with The Daily Mail turned Farage against him.
The 67-year-old claimed that Farage struggles to delegate and warned Reform will not win the next election if it continues as a "protest party led by the Messiah".
After revealing Habib's message, Andrew asked: "Does what happened, the day after that article appeared, Ben, confirm your fear that they were determined to kick Rupert Lowe out of the party come what may?"
Habib told The People's Channel: "Absolutely. I'm so glad I wrote that text for Rupert because I could see the direction of travel.
A copy of Ben Habib's message to Rupert Lowe
GB NEWS
"It was the direction of travel that I've seen unfold for many, many good people in the grassroots of Reform, who don't get a mention because no one knows them.
"But Zia Yusuf has systematically been going across the country, displacing people and in the process rubbishing their reputation."
He added: "I could see the same thing happening to Rupert and so I woke up on that Friday morning and I texted Rupert and I said, 'Rupert, just be aware that I think this is where it's going. They're going to sack you, rubbish your character and then any defence you put up will be portrayed as bitter and twisted and irrelevant. Get ahead of the game and resign'.
"Exactly what I predicted happened. They have attempted actually not just to rubbish Rupert, let's just get this into perspective, they've attempted to destroy him."
Habib, who came third when he stood for Reform UK in Wellingborough & Rushden in the last General Election, also claimed that Elon Musk's support for Rupert Lowe "put a target" on the Great Yarmouth MP's back.
The ex-Reform UK deputy leader later argued that the populist party's support stood at 16 per cent ahead of Farage's return as leader, rejecting the suggestion that the Clacton MP propelled five MPs into the House of Commons.
Savanta gave Reform UK just nine per cent support ahead of Farage's return, with the Brexit stalwart overseeing a eight-point boost with the same pollster in the final days of the election campaign.
Despite Habib's comments on Lowe's suspension, a KC is now leading a probe into allegations of serious bullying and threats of physical violence.
Reform UK also reported an alleged incident of a threat towards Zia Yusuf to the Metropolitan Police.
GB News revealed over the weekend how a Labour MP recalled Lowe was "not in charge of his own faculties" following an incident in the House of Commons in December.
Lowe was later dealt a blow last night after the KC leading the investigation distanced herself from the Great Yarmouth MP's comments attributed to her.
The lawyer told the BBC: "I have seen a number of statements made by Mr Lowe MP which are attributed to me and which describe my reactions to the process conducted by the party into the allegations."
"I have not expressed either 'dismay' or 'shock' at any time as to the process," the KC added.
Farage broke his silence on the debacle over the weekend, telling The Telegraph: "What many people may not have realised, however, is that in that time he [Lowe] has also managed to fall out with all his parliamentary colleagues in one way or another."
The Clacton MP added: "All I do know is that Mr Yusuf was presented with complaints which he could not simply disregard."
Speaking to GB News over the weekend, Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice suggested the door was closed on Lowe being readmitted into the populist party's ranks.
He told the People's Channel: “The whip has been withdrawn, and that should be the assumption. We're driving forwards. We're not holding back.
"We've got a job to do. We've got hundreds of seats to win in May. We're not going to be distracted by this noise. And you know what? I don't think the British people will be either."
Habib has been swiping at Reform UK since Farage snacked him as deputy leader, with the Brexit stalwart endorsing several Tory leadership hopefuls before appearing to throw his weight behind Lowe.
Ex-Reform communications guru Gawain Towler even argued Habib has been on a "one man crusade" against Farage since he was sacked as deputy leader.
