Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has ruled out striking a deal with Restore Britain unless Rupert Lowe expels a co-founder accused of antisemitism.
Mr Farage, who was “open-minded” about working with Restore, put pressure on Mr Lowe after Charlie Downes suggested the Reform UK leader had been “bought” by Jewish supporters.
Mr Lowe had extended an olive branch to Mr Farage following the Greater Manchester Mayoral Election.
However, the ex-Reform UK MP put forward requests which would have put Mr Farage in a difficult position, including excluding ex-Tories from a future Cabinet.
A Reform UK spokesman has since ruled out talks taking place until Mr Lowe takes action against Mr Downes.
“There are antisemitic and extreme racists at or near the top of the party, and they would have to go first,” the spokesman told The Telegraph.
“We’re happy to talk but we can’t do when there are people in the party like Charlie Downes.
“This all started with the Groypers in the US and it’s happening here, putting out this anti-Jewish stuff that is very similar to the far-left.”
However, Mr Lowe’s social media activity appears to suggest the Great Yarmouth MP is still supportive of Mr Downes.
He said: “What a week – lots of abuse, attacks and smears.
“I want to thank our Restore Britain volunteers, supporters, branch organisers and the entire team for building something that has petrified the establishment.
“Lots of work to do, but we are making remarkable progress.”
Meanwhile, Mr Downes posted a lengthy social media post criticising The Telegraph over its coverage of his comments on Muslims being “less British” than Christians.
He wrote: “The Telegraph, on the other hand, has spent the last three years running cover for Israel’s genocide against Muslims in Gaza.”
Mr Lowe set up Restore Britain after being suspended from Reform UK in March 2025 following a huge row with Mr Farage and Zia Yusuf.
The 68-year-old has consistently denied the allegations made against him.
However, Reform UK Chief Whip Lee Anderson claimed Mr Lowe must drop his demands and back Mr Farage to become the next Prime Minister.
He told The Telegraph: “Probably the best thing for Rupert to do at the moment, if he’s serious about getting rid of this Labour Government, is to publicly endorse Nigel as the next prime minister of this country, and row back on the comments he made about Suella, Rob Jenrick and Danny Kruger.
“If he can do that, then you can have a conversation. They’ve left the Tory Party on a point of principle, as I did. We need these people in Government to help save our country.
“Even the most hardline Restore voters would see that if we do take power, you need people with a lot of experience in there. And I can’t think of anybody in Restore at the moment that’s got any Government experience.”
Mr Anderson also told Mr Lowe that Reform candidates would not step down in constituencies to give Restore Britain a free run.
Since establishing itself as an official party, Restore Britain’s gains have been limited to Mr Lowe’s home seat of Great Yarmouth.
Restore Britain languished behind Reform UK in by-elections held in both Makerfield and Greater Manchester.
Speaking at a press conference last week, Mr Farage said: “In broader terms, look, you could see a situation where Restore, without the hope of winning anything outside Great Yarmouth, I mean literally without hope of winning a single seat in the country, could do us great harm.”