Rupert Lowe, himself a former Reform UK MP, claimed “standing international nationals in our elections is an insult to the British individuals”.
Rupert Lowe (Picture: PA/George Madgwick)
Rupert Lowe has launched a blistering assault on Reform UK – his former occasion – for choosing a Bangladeshi nationwide as a council candidate, calling it “an insult to the British individuals”. Mr Lowe, the Nice Yarmouth MP and chief of Restore Britain, launched the assault after Addy Mo Asaduzzaman, 23, who has depart to stay within the UK, was named because the occasion’s candidate for the Central Southsea ward in Portsmouth’s Could 2026 metropolis council elections.
In a social media submit on Friday, Mr Lowe, presumably with one eye on the elections, mentioned: “A Bangladeshi man, Addy Mo Asaduzzaman, is formally confirmed as Reform’s candidate in Portsmouth. Standing international nationals in our elections is an insult to the British individuals. There may be lastly a celebration that can ban foreigners from standing and voting – Restore Britain.”
Addy Mo Asaduzzaman (Picture: Reform)
Mr Asaduzzaman arrived within the UK on a pupil visa and studied for a Masters in digital and electrical engineering on the College of Portsmouth. He instructed the BBC he was proud to name the town dwelling and had “labored onerous to construct a life right here” by following authorized routes.
He added: “I discover it insulting to see individuals breaking into the UK and instantly being put up in free lodging, receiving allowances, working illegally and accessing free training whereas I’ve accomplished all the pieces the suitable method.”
The announcement triggered a backlash on social media, with some Reform supporters claiming “non-Brits shouldn’t be allowed to face” and “no foreigner ought to maintain any place of energy on this nation”. A number of mentioned they had been reassessing their help for the occasion.
Councillor George Madgwick, Reform’s Portsmouth group chief, hit again on the critics, describing the feedback as “frankly disgusting” and the abuse as “appalling”. Mr Asaduzzaman represented “the form of migration we wish” – individuals who pay to come back right here, are educated, work full time, pay taxes, combine and assist the neighborhood, Mr Madgwick added.
The choice reaffirmed Reform as “the antidote to the far proper”, he burdened.
UK legislation permits sure non-British residents, together with eligible Commonwealth residents or these with indefinite depart to stay, to face for election as councillors or MPs. The Central Southsea seat is presently held by Labour.
Mr Lowe was elected as a Reform UK MP in 2024 however was suspended by the occasion in March 2025 over allegations of bullying in his parliamentary workplace.
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He denied the claims, which he referred to as vexatious, and later give up the occasion. He now leads Restore Britain, which he has positioned as taking a more durable stance on immigration.
Reform UK – led by Nigel Farage – has been contacted for remark.
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