Ex-Reform MP who came to blows with Nigel Farage launches new political party – with very similar name
The former Reform UK MP, who once accused Nigel Farage’s group of waging a “ruthless smear campaign” against him, has launched a new political party with a very similar name.
Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe officially announced the Restore Britain party on Friday night.
Mr Lowe, now an independent MP, was serving as the Reform representative until he was expelled following allegations of bullying and verbal threats against chairman Zia Yusuf.
Mr Lowe has vehemently denied all the allegations against him, repeatedly describing them as frustrating; At one point, tech billionaire Elon Musk suggested that Mr Lowe should replace Mr Farage as Reform leader.
This erupted after Mr Lowe called the Reformation a “protest party” led by a “Messiah” in a newspaper interview.
Later leaked Whatsapp messages showed him condemning Mr Farage’s behavior as “disgusting” and “despicable” and accusing him of “damaging the party just before the election”.
Restore Britain was initially founded by Mr Lowe as a “political movement” after he split from Reform UK.
It is now expected to act as an umbrella political party with locally based political parties as partners.
For example, Mr Lowe will stand again in the Great Yarmouth constituency alongside local party Great Yarmouth First, which will be a partner of Restore Britain.
Senior Conservative figures Susan Hall and Sir Gavin Williamson were on the advisory board of Restore Britain when it was described as a political movement.
Former minister Sir Gavin has suggested the Press Association will end its association with Restore Britain as a result of it becoming a political party.
Ms Hall, the Conservative leader in the London Assembly, is also thought to leave the party board.
Last May, the Crown Prosecution Service announced “following a thorough and detailed review of the evidence” that Mr Lowe would not face criminal charges in relation to the alleged threats.
In a statement, Mr Lowe accused Reform of waging a “ruthless smear campaign”.
He also attacked the leader of his former party, calling him a “coward and a viper”.
