Former Southampton FC chairman Rupert Lowe has denied any wrongdoing over allegations of bullying in his role as a Reform UK MP.

It comes as Reform said it is investigating Mr Lowe, the MP for Great Yarmouth, over alleged conduct towards two female employees.

Mr Lowe has said there is “zero credible evidence” behind the bullying allegations.

In a statement on Friday, party chairman Zia Yusuf and chief whip Lee Anderson MP said the allegations centre around Mr Lowe's constituency and Westminster offices.

Their statement said Mr Lowe has also been reported to the police over alleged threats to Mr Yusuf. Mr Lowe said these claims were "outrageous and entirely untrue".

The statement from Mr Yusuf and Mr Anderson said: “It is with regret that we feel obligated to disclose that the party received complaints from two female employees about serious bullying in the offices of the Member of Parliament for Great Yarmouth, Rupert Lowe.

“One worked in his Parliamentary office, the other in his constituency office, we understand complaints have been made to Parliamentary authorities."

“We feel we have a duty of care to all our staff, whether employed directly or indirectly", they added.

The statement said a KC has been appointed to investigate the veracity of the claims.

They added: “Reform stands for the highest standards of conduct in public life and we will apply these standards without fear nor favour, including within our own party.”

Mr Lowe refutes all claims made by Reform UK in a lengthy statement posted on X.

He said: “I am disappointed, but not surprised, to read Reform’s untrue and false allegations.

"Let me be abundantly clear – this investigation is based on zero credible evidence against me, as has been repeatedly stated by the neutral investigator. None has been provided.

“I have cooperated and spoken at length with the KC they instructed, at great cost to the party, to investigate a minor staff matter.

“I have just spoken to the KC. She is dismayed that this statement has been made, and reiterated that no evidence against me has been sent to her. She stated that this has been issued before the investigation has even started.

“She is shocked at the process, shocked at the communication from the party, and shocked that no credible evidence has been given, despite her repeated requests.

“I was sent an initial letter late on Friday afternoon last week, again with no evidence provided, with no prior warning and no attempt to understand the full position.

"Allegations of physical threats are outrageous and entirely untrue.

“I have never made any derogatory comments about women, or those with disabilities. This is a lie. These allegations are not even referring to me. I will be seeking legal advice immediately.

"There is no credible evidence against me, as the KC has stated on numerous occasions.

“It is no surprise that this vexatious statement has been issued the day after my reasonable and constructive questions of Nigel and the Reform structure. It was issued on X late on a Friday afternoon, with no prior warning.

“All I stated was that communication needs to improve, delegation needs to improve, structure needs to improve – these are all reasonable requests of a party looking to form the next Government. I stand by everything I said.

“I have been pushing for this behind the scenes for many months, with zero success. I have been frozen out of meetings, policy discussions, press conferences and more. My repeated requests for better communication and regular meetings have been ignored and mocked.

“Honestly, I have tried and tried – and will continue to try. I did not speak publicly without exhausting all other options, repeatedly. I have done everything in my power to resolve this behind closed doors. Sadly, I failed.

“Our voters, our members and our country all deserve so much better than this.”