Lowe failed to tackle ‘toxic’ office culture, report finds

Ding ding ding! To the latest round of political infighting, involving Reform UK and its former MP Rupert Lowe. The independent report commissioned by Nigel Farage’s party into the suspended politician has been released today – and, for Lowe, its conclusions won’t make for comfortable reading…

The 13-page report describe the complaints of bullying and misconduct alleged to have taken place in Lowe’s office. After interviewing two female staff who lodged complaints against the office of the now-Independent MP, Jacqueline Perry KC concluded that Lowe ‘seems to have failed or been unwilling to address’ the concerns of the complainants and the ‘alleged toxic culture’ of his staff. More than that, Perry notes the Great Yarmouth MP ‘failed to understand’ it was his duty to ensure staff weren’t treated discriminatorily. Lowe has claimed the whole matter is a ‘smear’ against him and has fumed on Twitter that his former employees only raised issues after they had faced disciplinary action – which, on seeing the evidence, Perry disputes.