Former Labour MP Jonathan Ashworth has launched a scathing attack on Nigel Farage amid Reform UK's internal crisis.
Speaking on GB News, Ashworth said Farage "couldn't run a bath" and described Reform as "a complete mess" and "a clown show".
When presenter Stephen Dixon suggested Reform's troubles were only in the spotlight due to the party's success, Ashworth replied: "Pull the other one."
The civil war within Reform UK has intensified as staff rally behind MP Rupert Lowe in his clash with party leader Nigel Farage.
Lowe was dramatically expelled from the party last week, just a day after accusing Farage of acting like "the Messiah".
The Great Yarmouth MP's seven-strong parliamentary team issued a statement this morning defending their boss against allegations of workplace bullying.
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Reform UK chair Zia Yusuf and chief whip Lee Anderson said two female employees had accused Lowe of "workplace bullying".
The party also claimed to have evidence of "derogatory and discriminatory remarks made about women, including reference to a perceived disability".
Lowe has strenuously denied all allegations, calling them "outrageous and entirely untrue".
He claims he is the victim of a "witch hunt" for criticising Farage.
In their statement posted on X, Lowe's staff said: "We want to state this unequivocally: Rupert is a good, decent and honest man."
"We have never seen any violent or vicious behaviour from him, ever," they added.
The team described the bullying allegations as "entirely untrue" and "vexatious complaints" submitted "to cause as much damage as possible".
They concluded: "Rupert is a good MP, a good boss and a good man."
Farage spoke to ITV Anglia about the controversy, saying there is "a behaviour problem here – outbursts, anger, that kind of thing".
He added: "I could do without this, it's a huge distraction for the party, for me."
The row erupted after Lowe complained that Reform UK remained a "protest party led by the Messiah" under Farage's leadership.
He had suggested he might leave if the party did not change before the next election.
Lowe, 67, was elected in Great Yarmouth at the July 2024 general election, forcing the Conservatives into third place.
Before entering Parliament, he was chairman of Southampton FC, where he was often unpopular with fans.
He previously served as an MEP for the Brexit Party in 2019 and has been a vocal critic of climate change activism.
The deepening rift threatens to undermine Reform UK's credibility just months after securing five MPs in Parliament.
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Speaking on GB News, Ashworth said Farage "couldn't run a bath" and described Reform as "a complete mess" and "a clown show".
When presenter Stephen Dixon suggested Reform's troubles were only in the spotlight due to the party's success, Ashworth replied: "Pull the other one."
The civil war within Reform UK has intensified as staff rally behind MP Rupert Lowe in his clash with party leader Nigel Farage.
Lowe was dramatically expelled from the party last week, just a day after accusing Farage of acting like "the Messiah".
The Great Yarmouth MP's seven-strong parliamentary team issued a statement this morning defending their boss against allegations of workplace bullying.
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Reform UK chair Zia Yusuf and chief whip Lee Anderson said two female employees had accused Lowe of "workplace bullying".
The party also claimed to have evidence of "derogatory and discriminatory remarks made about women, including reference to a perceived disability".
Lowe has strenuously denied all allegations, calling them "outrageous and entirely untrue".
He claims he is the victim of a "witch hunt" for criticising Farage.
In their statement posted on X, Lowe's staff said: "We want to state this unequivocally: Rupert is a good, decent and honest man."
"We have never seen any violent or vicious behaviour from him, ever," they added.
The team described the bullying allegations as "entirely untrue" and "vexatious complaints" submitted "to cause as much damage as possible".
They concluded: "Rupert is a good MP, a good boss and a good man."
Farage spoke to ITV Anglia about the controversy, saying there is "a behaviour problem here – outbursts, anger, that kind of thing".
He added: "I could do without this, it's a huge distraction for the party, for me."
The row erupted after Lowe complained that Reform UK remained a "protest party led by the Messiah" under Farage's leadership.
He had suggested he might leave if the party did not change before the next election.
Lowe, 67, was elected in Great Yarmouth at the July 2024 general election, forcing the Conservatives into third place.
Before entering Parliament, he was chairman of Southampton FC, where he was often unpopular with fans.
He previously served as an MEP for the Brexit Party in 2019 and has been a vocal critic of climate change activism.
The deepening rift threatens to undermine Reform UK's credibility just months after securing five MPs in Parliament.
Find Out More...