Ousted Reform MP Rupert Lowe has said Nigel Farage must “never be prime minister” after leaked messages came to light reigniting the party’s internal row.

Mr Lowe, now the independent MP for Great Yarmouth, launched his latest attack on Reform’s “rotten and deceitful” leadership after a private WhatsApp conversation between Mr Farage and a party activist was leaked to the BBC.

In the messages, Mr Farage is alleged to have called Mr Lowe “disgusting” and “contemptible” after he gave an interview to the Daily Mail that was critical of his leadership.

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He also allegedly claimed that Mr Lowe’s motivation for the interview was “damaging the party just before elections – disgusting”.

In a post on social media, Mr Lowe said the alleged leaked messages “prove that he [Mr Farage] kicked me out of the party and launched this malicious witch hunt because I dared to ask reasonable questions of Reform”.

“His visceral hatred of me is evident, particularly following the Daily Mail interview,” Mr Lowe continued.

“Farage has admitted himself, in writing, that the motivation behind my removal was the Daily Mail interview, in
which I raised reasonable and constructive questions of Reform structure, policy and communication – following
months of pushing for change behind the scenes.

“That interview is why they designed and launched their horrific smear campaign against my name. It is evil behaviour.

“Nigel Farage must never be prime minister. All I have done is tell the truth, and I will continue to do so.”

The row erupted after Mr Lowe’s interview with the Daily Mail, in which Mr Lowe said it was “too early to know” if Mr Farage will become prime minister and warned Reform remains a “protest party led by the Messiah” under the Clacton MP.

He also claimed that he was “barely six months into being an MP” himself and “in the betting to be the next prime minister”.

Reform UK then announced that it had referred the Great Yarmouth MP to police and suspended him, alleging he made “verbal threats” against chairman Zia Yousaf.

The Met has launched an investigation into these claims, which Mr Lowe has vehemently denied.

Reform has also claimed it has received complaints from two female employees about serious bullying in Mr Lowe’s constituency office – which the MP has also strenuously denied, saying they do not relate to him and were made by staff who themselves faced disciplinary action.

On the allegations against the employees in his constituency office, Mr Lowe said he would “not be engaging” with the Reform “investigation”, arguing they were “blatantly vexatious complaints” made by former employees who themselves “admitted serious offences” and were subject to disciplinary processes.

“There is no credible evidence of any ‘bullying’ by anybody, because there was none,” he wrote in his social media post. “This has been weaponised in a desperate attempt to smear my name.”

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He added: “If am contacted by the independent parliamentary authorities, I will fully cooperate with them. I have heard nothing from any relevant parliamentary body, nor have my team”.

Last week Sky News reported that Mr Lowe is consulting lawyers about taking possible libel action against Reform UK, for making “untrue and false allegations” about him.

Mr Lowe, the former chair of Southampton Football Club, has not ruled out joining the Conservatives or another political party.

Mr Farage has said there is “no way back” for the suspended MP and has accused him of being “out to cause maximum damage” to Reform UK.

Sky News has approached Mr Farage for comment.

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon is no longer under investigation by Police Scotland amid a probe into the SNP’s funding and finances.

Meanwhile, former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, who is separated from Ms Sturgeon, has appeared in court charged with embezzlement.

Speaking outside her home on Thursday, Ms Sturgeon said she was “completely in the clear”, adding: “That is the outcome I would always have expected.

“As I have said to all of you many times, I have done nothing wrong. So, I was confident of reaching this point and getting to this outcome, but obviously it is a relief now to have that confirmed.”

Ms Sturgeon said for almost two years she had “this cloud of investigation” hanging over her.

She added: “I think it won’t surprise anybody to hear me say that it’s not been an easy experience, so to reach this point today is obviously something I am relieved about.

“I’ve been trying to get on with my life and I now intend to do that.”

Responding to Sky News’ Scotland correspondent Connor Gillies, Ms Sturgeon said she was limited in what she could say about an active police investigation.

But she added: “All I can say is that I have done nothing wrong and I don’t think there was ever a scrap of evidence that I had done anything wrong.”

Ms Sturgeon described herself as a “stronger person today” than she was when it all “kicked off”.

She added: “That said, I wish none of it had happened.”

Ms Sturgeon said she had “exciting things coming up” including the publication of her book, which is titled Frankly and is set for release on 14 August.

Murrell made no plea to the single charge when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court earlier in the day.

The 60-year-old was granted bail with his next court appearance yet to be confirmed.

Murrell, who had been SNP chief executive since 1999, resigned in March 2023 amid a row over party numbers.

The following month he was arrested under Police Scotland’s long-running Operation Branchform and was subsequently charged a year later with embezzling SNP funds.

The probe, which has been ongoing since July 2021, is linked to the spending of around £600,000 raised by SNP supporters to be earmarked for Scottish independence campaigning.

Ms Sturgeon and ex-party treasurer MSP Colin Beattie were also arrested and released without charge as part of the investigation.

Mr Beattie has now been cleared alongside Ms Sturgeon.

In a statement posted online, Mr Beattie said he was “absolutely delighted” to be cleared of all suspicion.

The MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh said: “While there was no question in my mind that I had done nothing wrong, the fact is that it created a question among those who do not know me.”

Mr Beattie thanked all those who offered support to both him and his wife.

He added: “Now, I intend to share a glass of something with my wife tonight, and tomorrow I can focus on the future as I put myself forward for consideration as the SNP candidate for the Midlothian North county constituency.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said the probe into Ms Sturgeon and Mr Beattie had concluded and both were no longer under investigation following direction from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).

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However, COPFS has warned that the case against Murrell is active under the Contempt of Court Act 1981.

A spokesperson said: “Anyone publishing items about active cases is advised to exercise caution as material must not be commentary or analysis of evidence, witnesses or accused.

“Contempt of Court carries penalties of up to two years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.”

COPFS said prosecutors and independent counsel are dealing with Murrell’s case without involving Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC or Solicitor General Ruth Charteris KC.

The spokesperson added: “All Scotland’s prosecutors operate independently of political influence.

“Where allegations are made against people or institutions in which the public have placed trust, it is the responsibility of the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to determine if there is evidence that criminal conduct has occurred.

“We understand public curiosity about this investigation. However, the Crown does not publicly share details of confidential inquiries where there are no proceedings in court.

“This protects the rights of the individuals concerned who are entitled to a presumption of innocence.”

In January, Ms Sturgeon announced she had split from Murrell.

The pair, who first met via the SNP in 1988 and became a couple in 2003, married in 2010.

The Glasgow Southside MSP announced the separation in a post on Instagram, revealing they had been “separated for some time now” but “still care deeply for each other, and always will”.

And just last week, Ms Sturgeon announced she will not seek re-election to Holyrood next year.

She said: “I have known in my heart for a while that the time is right for me to embrace different opportunities in a new chapter of my life.”

Former Formula 1 team owner and broadcaster Eddie Jordan has died at the age of 76.

Jordan revealed in December he had been diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of cancer earlier in 2024.

He ran his own F1 team between 1991 and 2005 before moving to a broadcast role, working for the BBC and Channel 4.

He “passed away peacefully” while surrounded by his loved ones in Cape Town, South Africa, according to a family statement.

“EJ brought an abundance of charisma, energy and Irish charm everywhere he went. We all have a huge hole missing without his presence,” a family statement read.

“He will be missed by so many people, but he leaves us with tonnes of great memories to keep us smiling through our sorrow.”

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Jordan, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, operated his own racing team in lower-level series before moving up to F1 in 1991, giving future seven-time champion Michael Schumacher his first race that year.

Other drivers over the years included Damon Hill, who won the 1996 championship with Williams, future Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello, and Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who was third in the championship for Jordan in 1999.

Christian Horner, principal of Red Bull Racing, said in a statement on Instagram: “Very sorry to hear Eddie Jordan has sadly passed.

“Eddie was a hugely colourful character who I first met in 1991 as a young driver at his then new factory after his first year in Formula One. His advice, ‘get a good sponsor… welcome to the Piranha Club!’

“I was fortunate to overlap with him when I came into Formula One.

“He was in the twilight of his F1 career race wise (indeed he even tried to sell me his team!) but went into other media activities where he was always full of energy and fun to work with.

“Formula One has lost a legend and we will miss his wit and his Irish charm. On behalf of Oracle Red Bull Racing we send our sincere condolences to Marie and the children at this sad time; our thoughts are with them.

“God speed Eddie!”

Former F1 driver Martin Brundle OBE paid tribute to Jordan on X saying: “So many drivers owe you so much, you gave us our chances and believed in us.”

Jordan Grand Prix won four races before Jordan sold the team in 2005.

Following more sales and name changes since then, the team competes as Aston Martin.