Reform UK has accused Rupert Lowe, one of its MP s, of threatening Mr Yusuf, and has reported him to the police, who say they are investigating. The party has also appointed a senior lawyer to look into claims of bullying in his office. Reform UK has also suspended Mr Lowe, reducing its parliamentary strength to just four.

A Reform UK MP has accused Nigel Farage of acting like the “messiah” as splits within the party burst into the open. Rupert Lowe said Farage must “learn to delegate” and that Reform needed to “start behaving as if we are leading and not merely protesting”.