Former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe, recently expelled amid serious allegations he denies, has suggested he may rejoin the Conservative Party, amid ongoing political turmoil and legal disputes within Reform UK.
Rupert Lowe, the former Reform UK MP, has recently hinted at the possibility of aligning himself with the Conservative Party following his contentious expulsion from Reform UK. In a candid interview, Lowe referred to his political removal as a "political assassination," describing it as a "clumsy" action that he believes deviated from the moral principles he associates with political conduct. Despite the turmoil, he expressed optimism about his future, stating, “All options are open,” indicating that he is considering various paths forward, including a potential return to mainstream Conservatism.
Once a prominent figure within Reform UK, Lowe now sits as an independent after a series of allegations—including bullying and threats of violence—led to his suspension from the party. These claims, which Lowe vehemently denies, have initiated a bitter dispute, with both parties reportedly hiring legal counsel to substantiate their opposing narratives. Speaking to GB News, he noted that he had maintained communications with notable Conservative MPs, such as Robert Jenrick, reinforcing the notion that he remains engaged in the political discourse despite his current independent status.
The backdrop to Lowe’s situation sheds light on the broader challenges facing Reform UK. The party, under Nigel Farage's leadership, is grappling with internal strife and reputational damage amidst accusations of misconduct against Lowe. The party's leadership has publicly condemned his behaviour, insisting on high standards of conduct. An independent report cited credible allegations of unlawful harassment against Lowe and his team, which provided disturbing accounts from two female employees regarding workplace treatment. These findings have intensified scrutiny of the party's internal environment and raised questions about leadership accountability.
This internal conflict comes at a crucial juncture for Reform UK, especially as it seeks to solidify its standing against Labour and the Conservatives. The turbulence of Lowe’s departure has drawn attention not only to ongoing controversies but also to the potential repercussions for the party's future. Amidst this turmoil, even high-profile figures like Elon Musk have signalled potential interest in new political alternatives, suggesting a possible re-evaluation of support for the Reform UK brand.
Lowe's political ambitions appear undeterred by these complications. He has expressed admiration for emerging Conservative leaders and has called for a unified approach to right-wing politics, emphasising the need for coherent, substantive policy over mere rhetoric. His vision, as articulated in his comments, involves creating a detailed roadmap for governance, highlighting a desire to move beyond the floundering conflicts that have marked his recent political associations.
As the situation continues to evolve, both Lowe and Reform UK are at a crossroads, with decisions now looming that could reshape their respective political futures in an increasingly fractious landscape.
Source: Noah Wire Services
More on this
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https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/2061495/ex-reform-mp-rupert-lowe-Tories - Please view link - unable to able to access data
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https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/former-reform-uk-lawmaker-lowe-wont-face-charges-over-alleged-threats-2025-05-14/ - Former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe will not face charges after being accused of making threats of physical violence against the party's chairman, Zia Yusuf. The Crown Prosecution Service determined there was insufficient evidence to proceed with prosecution. Lowe, who has openly criticised party leader Nigel Farage, denied all accusations, labelling them as part of a 'brutal smear campaign'. Although suspended from Reform, Lowe remains in parliament as an independent and accuses Farage of using the police process to suppress dissent within the party.
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https://www.ft.com/content/f8a56da7-c748-48cf-97e6-ceef45229073 - Reform UK is in turmoil after withdrawing the whip from MP Rupert Lowe amid allegations of threats against the party chair and accusations of workplace bullying. This internal conflict arises during a critical moment for Nigel Farage's right-wing party, which is striving to consolidate its polling position against Labour and the Conservatives. Lowe has denied the allegations, claiming there is no credible evidence and accusing the party leadership of a malicious response to his constructive criticism. The conflict exposes deep divisions within Reform UK, as the party's leadership insists on maintaining high conduct standards.
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https://www.ft.com/content/d7cbb26a-57b8-4fd5-ac5b-00de25d53a0e - Elon Musk has shown interest in supporting an alternative to Reform UK amid internal conflicts in the party led by Nigel Farage. This follows the suspension of Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe due to allegations of threats and bullying. The party's turbulence threatens its recent polling success, having surpassed Labour and the Conservatives. Musk, who previously considered donating up to £100 million to Reform, may back a new right-wing group. Lowe, contemplating legal action, disagreed with the party's tax policies and remains firm on his deportation stance. Political tensions within Reform have led to discussions about forming a new group, with Musk's alignment being closely observed. Reform UK's recent strategic decisions and in-fighting are causing significant concern among its members and financial backers.
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https://www.ft.com/content/5e00f782-bd5b-439a-a465-99b7bbaee0a8 - An independent report by Jacqueline Perry KC identified 'credible evidence of unlawful harassment' by suspended Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe and his team against two female employees. The women endured victimisation, constant criticism, and discriminatory behaviour, leading to significant stress and health impacts. Perry's findings suggest Lowe failed to address or was unwilling to manage the toxic conduct within his team. The report exacerbates divisions within Nigel Farage's party, already turbulent after Lowe was stripped of the whip and investigated for bullying. Lowe denies the allegations, claiming they arose shortly after he criticised Farage's leadership, and condemned the investigation as biased. The party is cancelling Lowe's membership and has reported him to the police for allegedly threatening the party chair.
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https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/25/rupert-lowe-report-details-credible-claims-of-bullying-or-harassment - Two women who worked for Rupert Lowe, the former Reform UK MP who was suspended from the party earlier this month, gave 'credible' evidence of bullying or harassment by him and his team, according to a report from a KC hired by the party. The report also disputed Lowe's statement that the women had only made complaints after they faced internal disciplinary proceedings against them, saying the timeline of events showed this was 'incorrect'. Lowe, whom the KC said had refused to engage with the inquiry process, immediately rejected the findings, calling them 'outright lies'.
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https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/07/reform-uk-chaos-claims-bullying-rupert-lowe - Reform UK has referred one of its lawmakers, Rupert Lowe, to the police over alleged threats of physical violence against the party's chairman, Zia Yusuf. Reform UK also received reports of workplace bullying from two female employees in Lowe's parliamentary office, as well as derogatory and discriminatory remarks about women, including references to a perceived disability. Lowe dismissed the allegations as unfounded and lacking credible evidence, as stated by the independent investigator. Despite being suspended from Reform, Lowe remains in parliament as an independent and accuses Farage of using the police process to suppress dissent within the party.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent developments regarding Rupert Lowe's suspension from Reform UK and his potential alignment with the Conservative Party. The earliest known publication date of similar content is March 11, 2025, when Sky News reported Lowe's statement about keeping his options open. ([news.sky.com](https://news.sky.com/story/rupert-lowe-keeping-options-open-after-ousting-by-reform-uk-13326594?utm_source=openai)) The Express article appears to be a timely update, incorporating recent events and statements. However, the presence of similar reports across multiple outlets suggests a degree of recycled content. The narrative includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. Additionally, the narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. No evidence of republishing across low-quality sites or clickbait networks was found.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quotes attributed to Rupert Lowe, such as "All options are open," and "I was a Tory years ago," are consistent with statements he made in previous interviews. The earliest known usage of these quotes is from the Sky News interview on March 11, 2025. ([news.sky.com](https://news.sky.com/story/rupert-lowe-keeping-options-open-after-ousting-by-reform-uk-13326594?utm_source=openai)) No variations in wording were found, indicating the quotes are accurately reproduced. No online matches were found for other quotes, suggesting they may be original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Express, a UK-based tabloid newspaper. While it is a well-known publication, it is often considered less reliable due to sensationalist reporting. The Express has a history of publishing content that may lack thorough fact-checking. Therefore, the reliability of the source is moderate.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims regarding Rupert Lowe's suspension from Reform UK and his potential alignment with the Conservative Party are plausible and align with recent events. The narrative includes supporting details from reputable outlets, such as the Guardian and Sky News, confirming Lowe's suspension and his statements about keeping his options open. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/10/rupert-lowe-says-reform-forcing-him-out-because-he-poses-threat-to-farage?utm_source=openai), [news.sky.com](https://news.sky.com/story/rupert-lowe-keeping-options-open-after-ousting-by-reform-uk-13326594?utm_source=openai)) The language and tone are consistent with typical political reporting. No excessive or off-topic details unrelated to the claim were identified. The structure and tone are appropriate for the topic and region.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative provides a timely update on Rupert Lowe's suspension from Reform UK and his potential alignment with the Conservative Party. While the content is plausible and supported by reputable sources, the Express's history of sensationalist reporting and the presence of similar reports across multiple outlets suggest a need for cautious interpretation. The source's reliability is moderate, and the freshness score is high, indicating recent developments. Therefore, the overall assessment is 'OPEN' with medium confidence.
Tags:
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Rupert Lowe
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Reform UK
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Conservative Party
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political realignment
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UK politics