Key facts
- Nigel Farage has ruled out talks with rival Rupert Lowe unless Lowe expels co-founder Charlie Downes.
- Downes is accused of antisemitic remarks, including implying Farage was "bought" by Jewish supporters.
- Farage also cited Steve Laws, a "total remigration" advocate, as a problematic figure.
- Rupert Lowe rejected the demand to sack Downes, calling it unfair.
- Farage's comments were made at a press conference discussing Reform UK's plan to deport foreign prisoners.
- Reform UK proposed renting prison space abroad to alleviate overcrowding.
Nigel Farage has publicly stated that he will not enter into discussions with his right-wing rival Rupert Lowe unless Lowe expels a controversial co-founder of his Restore Britain party. Farage's condition centers on Charlie Downes, who has been accused of antisemitic remarks, including implying Farage had been "bought" by Jewish supporters. Farage also pointed to Steve Laws, a supporter of Restore Britain and advocate of "total remigration," as another individual whose presence in the inner circle would prevent talks.
Rupert Lowe has rejected the demand to sack Downes, stating it would be unfair to remove a "young Christian man" from his position. Lowe had previously offered to set aside past disagreements with Farage but included conditions, such as excluding Conservative defectors from a future Farage cabinet.
Farage's comments came during a press conference where Reform UK outlined its plan to address the UK's prison overcrowding crisis. The party proposed beginning talks with countries like El Salvador, Kosovo, Estonia, or Lithuania to rent prison space and deport foreign nationals serving sentences in the UK. Reform UK claims this plan could free up 10,000 prison spaces.