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Reform UK ruling out deal with Restore Britain over antisemitism row
'No question of any agreement with Lowe’s party while Charlie Downes was in place,' says spokesperson
Reform UK is currently ruling out any political agreement with the Restore Britain party, citing concerns over antisemitism and extremism within Restore’s leadership.
A Reform UK spokesperson stated that “antisemites and other extreme racists would have to go first” before any talks could proceed.
Although Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he was “open-minded” about a potential deal with Rupert Lowe’s party, controversy erupted following a social media post by Restore Britain co-founder Charlie Downes.
Downes had responded to a post from Farage—who had asserted he could not be bought—by sharing an image of Farage in front of signs for the Reform Jewish Alliance, implying that Farage was influenced by Jewish supporters.
A Reform UK spokesperson told The Telegraph there could be “no question of any agreement with Lowe’s party while Downes was in place.”
The spokesperson added: “There are antisemitic and extreme racists at or near the top of the party, and they would have to go first. We’re happy to talk, but we can’t do it when there are people in the party like Charlie Downes.”
He further commented that such rhetoric was reminiscent of the “Groypers” movement in the US, supporters of far-right activist Nick Fuentes, who has frequently attacked what he calls “organised Jewry.”
The spokesperson warned that similar “anti-Jewish stuff” was now spreading in the UK, echoing trends on the far Left.
The controversy intensified after it was revealed that Downes had previously claimed Muslims were less British than Christians.
In response, Downes accused The Telegraph of “running cover for Israel’s genocide against Muslims in Gaza” over the past three years
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