No criminal charges for Norfolk MP over alleged 'verbal threats'
Rupert Lowe denies making "verbal threats" towards the chairman of the Reform party
Last updated 14th May 2025
No criminal charges will be brought against former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe.
The Crown Prosecution Service said there is not enough evidence to bring charges against "a sitting MP" over an alleged incident at the Palace of Westminster in December.
Malcolm McHaffie, Head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said: "Following a thorough and detailed review of the evidence in relation to an allegation of threats, we have decided that no criminal charges should be brought against a sitting MP.
"Having considered a number of witness statements, we have concluded that there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.
"The Crown Prosecution Service's function is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent, and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges for a criminal court to consider. Based on the careful consideration of this evidence, we have decided that our legal test for a criminal prosecution has not been met."
Great Yarmouth MP Lowe was suspended from Nigel Farage's party earlier this year amid a deepening civil war and allegations about his conduct, which he denies.
He said he had instructed solicitors to begin defamation action over the claims.
'Farage is no leader'
Mr Lowe released a statement after it was revealed no charges would be brought against him. He said there had been a "sinister attempt to weaponise the criminal justice system against me".
This had put "not just my political future, but my liberty at risk", he claimed, adding: "All because I dared to raise constructive criticisms of Nigel Farage, stood firm on deporting illegal migrants, and pushed for Reform to be run democratically - not as a vehicle to stroke one man's ego.
"How did Reform respond? With a brutal smear campaign. For the sin of asking legitimate questions about the party's direction, policies and leadership, I was vilified and targeted."
Mr Lowe said he was "ashamed to have shared a parliamentary platform" with Reform UK.
"Farage is no leader - he is a coward and a viper. I feel deeply embarrassed that I ever thought he was the man to lead," he added.