By GB News (World News) | Created at 2025-03-25 15:16:20 | Updated at 2025-03-26 02:02:43
10 hours ago
A report by a barrister appointed by Reform UK has found "credible evidence" of the "unlawful harassment of two women" by Rupert Lowe and two members of his staff, the party has said.
The two women - both members of Lowe's parliamentary team - lodged formal complaints against the Great Yarmouth MP to the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS).
Rupert Lowe continues to strenuously deny the allegations, and has claimed it is an attempt to smear his reputation.
He said the investigation was started immediately after his "mildly critical" comments of Reform UK leadership and added he has "no faith that the investigation has been conducted in a fair manner".
The investigation was launched by Reform UK after they received complaints from two women working in the MP's offices against him and a member of staff.
Jacqueline Perry KC said there was "veracity in the complaints from both women which amounts (to) 'credible evidence' - to use Mr Lowe's own words".
She added that the complaints of "victimisation, constant criticisms (and) discriminatory behaviour do seem to amount to harassment on the part of both Lowe and his constituency team".
A report by a barrister appointed by Reform UK has found "credible evidence" of the "unlawful harassment of two women" by Rupert Lowe and two members of his staff
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Perry said Lowe "seems to have failed or been unwilling to address the very real concerns" of the two complainants, or "address the toxic conduct" of his male staff members.
She added: "The 'failures' on the part of the women that have been highlighted by Lowe and resulted in disciplinary procedures being taken against them seem flimsy in the extreme and would have been unlikely, in my opinion, to have warranted disciplinary action, much less dismissal.
"They have the appearance of a defensive stance taken once the complaints had been made as the timings support."
The KC said that contrary to Lowe's public statements, one of the women's allegations were made against Lowe himself.
One of the women received threats that Lowe would take legal action against her if she cooperated with the investigation, the report claims.
Her report has also claimed that Lowe knew of these serious allegations against him prior to giving an interview to Andrew Pierce for the Daily Mail - which he disputes.
It includes a disputed timeline of events, detailed as follows:
- December 18, 2024: Complainant 1 made a complaint to Lowe about bullying;
- January 17, 2025: Complainant 1 made initial contact with the Parliamentary Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) about bullying and harassment claims.
- January 28, 2025: Complainant 1 submitted formal complaint to ICGS;
- February 2, 2025: Complainant 2 submitted formal complaint to ICGS;
- February 27, 2025: Both women each emailed Reform's chairman, Zia Yusuf, detailing their complaints of harassment and bullying against Lowe and his team, requesting action be taken. The Party wrote to Lowe within 24 hours asking for his co-operation in an independent investigation;
- February 28, 2025: Lee Anderson writes to Lowe requesting his co-operation with an independent investigation.
Jacqueline Perry KC's report on Rupert Lowe was released on Tuesday, March 25
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Rupert Lowe has also published an opposing timeline of events on social media.
- February 25, 2025: "I gave the Daily Mail interview";
- February 26, 2025: "Farage's team was made aware of that interview";
- February 27, 2025: "These complaints were raised or escalated within Reform".
Lowe agreed with the report that the complainants submitted their complaints to the ICGS on January 28 and February 2.
The report also adds: "Any suggestion from Lowe, as he has made in the media, that these women complained following the instigation of disciplinary proceedings against either of them is incorrect and in the case of Complainant 1, demonstrably so."
Rupert Lowe has called the claims "outright lies" and says there is no evidence of bullying, aggressive behaviour or threats.
On Lowe's social media, a statement from his "entire current team" reads: "These two women have vexatiously complained in an attempt to smear Rupert, and the entire team. And we are a team. We work together well.
"The only issues raised within the office have been from these two individuals, who only did so after they committed serious offences.
"This whole ordeal has been difficult on all of us. We don't want any of this - we just want to get on with our jobs, and support Rupert who has been a fantastic boss.
"There has never been any bullying - we will all go on the record to say so, and have done so already."
