Infighting within Reform UK will damage the party’s local election chances if it “drags on”, a polling expert has warned. Lord Hayward said that Nigel Farage should be aiming for 450 councillors in the elections to declare it a good night,

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 lawyer appointed by Reform UK to investigate allegations against Rupert Lowe has denied making statements the MP attributed to them. Lowe was suspended by the party last Friday and reported to police after claims the Great Yarmouth MP had threatened party chairman Zia Yusuf.