Ex-Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe has announced plans to sue Nigel Farage, Zia Yusuf and Lee Anderson over the claims he engaged in workplace bullying and made threats of physical assault against the party's chairman. In March, Mr Lowe was expelled from the party by chief whip Lee Anderson over the allegations and referred to the Metropolitan Police.

The force has since launched an investigation, as part of which the Great Yarmouth MP's gun collection was seized by Gloucestershire police. In a major ramping up of tensions on Thursday, Mr Lowe said he will be taking the trio to court as the "false allegations" have cause "serious harm" to his reputation. The furious press statement added: "I believe it was published as part of a concerted smear campaign against me after I made comments about the party’s leader Nigel Farage."

"I have today instructed my solicitors, Brett Wilson LLP, to send letters of claim to Reform’s leader and director Nigel Farage, Mr Anderson and Mr Yusuf asserting claims for defamation.

Mr Lowe demands that the party, along with the three named individuals “do the right thing” and retract their claims.

He adds: “In the event that they are unwilling to do so, it is my intention to issue High Court proceedings. Whilst I have no desire to litigate, I will do what is necessary to ensure my reputation is restored.”

"Given the extant legal proceedings, I am unable to comment further on the matter at this stage.”

The row exploded on March 7 when Reform published a statement accusing their MP of “derogatory and discriminatory remarks made about women, including reference to a perceived disability”, as well as making threats of physical violence against Mr Yusuf “on at least two occasions”.

Shortly afterwards Mr Anderson removed the whip from Mr Lowe, meaning he has sat as an independent MP in parliament for just over a month.

Reform was quickly slammed by a number of previously loyal supporters, with claims that the move was a witch hunt following an interview Mr Lowe gave suggesting Nigel Farage does not have what it takes to be Prime Minister.

The fall out came just a day after the Mail published the interview, in which he took multiple swipes at Mr Farage.

The Norfolk MP, who was backed by Elon Musk to replace Nigel Farage as the party’s leader, delivered a warning that Mr Farage will only succeed if he “surrounds himself with the right people”.

In an ominous comment about the party’s leadership, Mr Lowe said it’s “too early to know” if Mr Farage will make a good Prime Minister.

“Nigel is a fiercely independent individual and is extremely good at what we have done so far. He has got messianic qualities. Will those messianic qualities distil into sage leadership? I don’t know.”

“Nigel is a messianic figure who is at the core of everything but he has to learn to delegate, as not everything can go through one person.”

In response Nigel Farage slapped him down, saying his parliamentary colleague was “utterly, completely wrong”.

Pressed on whether Lowe would be an MP at the next election, Farage said: “I hope so, he seems to be taking a tone that suggests he won’t accept us.”

Following his expulsion in March, Mr Lowe blasted: “If they want to kick me out over false claims, they’ll have to finally present some credible evidence against me. There is none…”

“A complete inability to accept even the most mild constructive criticism without such a malicious reaction is not effective leadership.

"This is our party as much as it is Nigel’s.”

Reform UK was approached for comment.