Ex-Reform MP Rupert Lowe mistakes charity rowers for ‘illegal migrants’
MP refuses to apologise for wrongly calling charity rowers ‘illegal migrants’
- Rupert Lowe, an independent MP for Great Yarmouth, mistakenly identified a charity rowing boat as a vessel carrying illegal migrants off the Norfolk coast.
- Lowe posted on social media, expressing concern about "dinghies coming into Great Yarmouth" and vowing to ensure their deportation if they were illegal migrants.
- The vessel was, in fact, the ROW4MND team, rowing from Land's End to John O'Groats to raise money for motor neurone disease.
- The charity rowers were contacted by HM Coastguard and police due to Lowe's post, but clarified their identity and purpose.
- Upon realising his error, Lowe pledged £1,000 to the ROW4MND fundraiser but stated he would not apologise for being vigilant for his constituents.