Rupert Lowe

{{short description|British politician and businessman (born 1957)}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix =

| name = Rupert Lowe

| honorific_suffix = {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|MP}}

| image = Official portrait of Rupert Lowe MP crop 2.jpg

| caption = Official portrait, 2024

| status =

| office1 = Member of Parliament
for Great Yarmouth

| predecessor1 = Sir Brandon Lewis

| term_start1 = 4 July 2024

| term_end1 =

| majority1 = 1,426 (3.5%)

| office2 = Member of the European Parliament
for West Midlands

| term_start2 = 2 July 2019

| predecessor2 = Daniel Dalton

| successor2 = Constituency abolished

| term_end2 = 31 January 2020

| birth_name = Rupert James Graham Lowe

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1957|10|31}}

| birth_place = Oxford, Oxfordshire, England

| nationality = British

| party = Independent

| otherparty = {{ubli|

Conservative (until 1993)|Referendum (1997)|Reform UK (2019–2025)}}

| spouse = Nicky Lowe

| relations =

| children = 4

| residence =

| education = Radley College

| alma_mater = University of Reading (BSc)

| occupation = {{hlist|Politician|businessman}}

| website = [https://www.rupertlowe.co.uk rupertlowe.co.uk]

}}

Rupert James Graham Lowe ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|r|uː|p|ə|t|_|ˈ|l|əʊ}}; born 31 October 1957) is a British politician who has served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Great Yarmouth since 2024. Elected for Reform UK, he now sits as an independent following the suspension of the party whip in March 2025. He was a member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the West Midlands from 2019 to 2020.

Prior to entering politics, Lowe worked in business and was the chairman of Southampton Football Club. He led the club from 1996 to 2006. Returning in 2008, his second tenure ended in 2009 when it entered administration. At the 2019 European Parliament election Lowe was elected as an MEP for the West Midlands, representing the Brexit Party, which later became Reform UK. He held this role until the UK's withdrawal from the European Union (EU) in 2020. Lowe entered the House of Commons at the 2024 general election as MP for Great Yarmouth and was appointed Reform UK's Business and Agriculture Spokesman. In March 2025 he had the whip suspended due to legal accusations. In May 2025 he hinted towards a new political party and told people to turn their backs on Reform UK.

Early life and career

Rupert James Graham Lowe was born on 31 October 1957 in Oxford."LOWE Rupert J G / HUINS" in Register of Births for Oxford Registration District, vol. 6b (1959), p. 1313 He was educated at Radley College, an all-boys independent boarding school, and the University of Reading.{{cite news |last1=Burford |first1=Rachael |title=Rupert Lowe's journey from football boss to controversial Reform UK MP |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/who-is-rupert-lowe-southampton-football-boss-reform-uk-mp-b1203902.html |work=The Standard |date=9 January 2025 |quote=Born in Oxford in October 1957, Mr Lowe was educated at the all-boys private school Radley College and then attended the University of Reading.}} He then worked in the City of London for companies such as Morgan Grenfell, Deutsche Bank and Barings Bank.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotpress.com/culture/trading-places-2815967|title=Trading places|first=Jackie|last=Hayden|website=Hotpress|accessdate=24 June 2024}} He was also a board member of the London International Financial Futures Exchange. He founded Secure Retirements, a quoted care home provider, with Andrew Cowen, later the Southampton vice-chairman.{{cite news |title=Great Yarmouth Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe to give salary to charity |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgr5qvpy2djo |work=BBC News |quote=Mr Lowe, one of five new Reform UK MPs, lives in Gloucestershire and is a former chairman of Southampton Football Club.}}{{cite news |last1=Quinn |first1=Ben |title=From Southampton FC to parliament, Reform MP Rupert Lowe divides opinion |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/22/from-southampton-fc-to-parliament-reform-mp-rupert-lowe-divides-opinion |work=The Guardian |date=22 July 2024}}

Football career

= Southampton Football Club =

In the mid-1990s the Southampton board were looking to float the club on the London Stock Exchange, a long and costly procedure. Therefore, they attempted a reverse takeover as a way to reduce costs. They needed to find a company that had already floated and take it over while effectively being taken over themselves. Lowe's Secure Retirements, which ran nursing homes, was identified as a candidate. The resultant group was renamed Southampton Leisure Holdings.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/3489097.stm | title=Rupert the Rare | work=BBC Sport | date=23 August 2004 | access-date=4 January 2010 | archive-date=31 August 2004 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040831100324/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/3489097.stm | url-status=live }} After the deal was completed, Lowe became chairman of the club.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

In the summer of 1997 Southampton's manager, Graeme Souness, left after just one season in charge, as did the director of football and former manager Lawrie McMenemy. This came as a shock to the local press,{{which|date=March 2025}} who regarded McMenemy as 'Mr Southampton'; he had previously managed the club from 1973 to 1985, guiding it to FA Cup success in 1976 and finishing second in the league in 1984.{{cn|date=January 2025}} Lowe guided the club from their old stadium into the 32,000-seater St Mary's Stadium, which opened in 2001, and the club continued to follow a long-standing policy of selling players for high prices. Players such as Dean Richards and Kevin Davies were sold to Tottenham Hotspur F.C. for £8 million and Blackburn Rovers F.C. for £7 million, respectively.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

During his ownership of the club, the SaintsNickname for Southampton Football Club maintained their Premier League status into the 21st century, despite having been in regular relegation battles since the early 1990s. There were eight managers during his tenure. Dave Jones left the club in January 2000 amid a criminal investigation, though he was later cleared of all charges. Jones was succeeded by Glenn Hoddle, who left just over a year later to join Tottenham Hotspur. Lowe then appointed Stuart Gray, but Gray was swiftly replaced by Gordon Strachan after a poor start to the 2001–02 season. Strachan guided the Saints to a secure 11th-place finish.{{cn|date=March 2025}}

In 2003 Southampton reached the FA Cup Final and qualified for the UEFA Cup for the first time in nearly 20 years, also finishing eighth in the league; their highest finish for well over a decade. Gordon Strachan resigned in March 2004, and Lowe and the board took the decision to replace him with Paul Sturrock before the end of the season. Sturrock himself left the club by "mutual consent" within six months, despite achieving good results during his time in charge. It was alleged that Lowe attempted to interfere in team selection after consulting the former head coach of the England national rugby union team Clive Woodward, who was being approached about a possible role at the club at the time.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/woodward-set-for-top-job-at-saints-529428.html|title=Woodward set for top job at Saints|date=22 March 2005|newspaper=The Independent|access-date=15 May 2019}}

Lowe appointed Harry Redknapp manager of Southampton in December 2004. Redknapp had quit as manager of Southampton's south-coast rivals Portsmouth F.C. two weeks earlier.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/dec/08/newsstory.southampton1|archive-url=|title=Redknapp confirmed as Saints boss|date=8 December 2004|work=The Guardian|accessdate=12 July 2024|archivedate=}} Southampton were relegated in 2005 and Lowe appointed Clive Woodward as Director of Football of Southampton in July 2005. Redknapp resigned as manager in December 2005 and subsequently rejoined Portsmouth.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4506132.stm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315175244/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4506132.stm|title=Redknapp goes back to Portsmouth|date=7 December 2005|work=BBC News|accessdate=12 July 2024|archivedate=15 March 2008|url-status=live}} Lowe won a libel case against The Times in 2005 regarding a column by the sportswriter Martin Samuel that alleged that Lowe had treated Jones "shabbily" following the latter's suspension after he was accused of child abuse charges on which he was subsequently acquitted. Lowe was awarded £250,000, which he pledged to donate to charity.{{cite news|last1=Hornsell|first1=Michael|title=Football chairman awarded £250,000 in Times libel case|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/IF0502790969/|accessdate=12 July 2024|work=The Times|issue=68529|date=27 October 2005|page=20}}

On 30 June 2006 Lowe resigned under huge pressure from club supporters, including the newly formed Saints Trust, following the club's failure to win promotion back to the Premiership.{{cite web |date=1 July 2006 |title=Lowe resigns as Saints chairman |url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/jul/01/newsstory.southampton |access-date=15 December 2020 |website=The Guardian}} Michael Wilde, a new investor in Southampton Leisure Holdings, led a new team of directors in taking over the club. The Saints were beaten in the 2006–07 Championship playoffs, and failed to mount a promotion challenge the following season.{{cn|date=March 2025}} In July 2008 Lowe returned as the chairman of Southampton Leisure Holdings. At an AGM on 23 December 2008, he received several calls to resign from former chairman Leon Crouch and from fans and shareholders at the meeting.{{cite news| title=Mark Fry and David Hudson of Begbies Traynor appointed as joint administrators to Southampton Leisure Holdings plc |url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/article.php?page_id=11581 |publisher=Southampton F.C. |date=2 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404055244/http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/article.php?page_id=11581 |archive-date=4 April 2009 }}{{fv|date=March 2025}} On 2 April 2009 Southampton Leisure Holdings was placed into administration, resulting in Lowe's resignation from the board.

=Garforth Town=

In December 2012 Lowe purchased Garforth Town of the Northern Premier League, along with the franchise operation of Socatots & Brazilian Soccer Schools linking up again with Simon Clifford, who had been employed as a Southampton coach in 2005.{{cite web|last=Gree|first=Wendy|title=Rupert Lowe makes football return|url=http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/10111599.Rupert_Lowe_makes_football_return/|work=Daily Echo|access-date=29 April 2013|date=17 December 2012|archive-date=2 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602195159/http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/10111599.Rupert_Lowe_makes_football_return/|url-status=live}} Lowe left the club in January 2015.[http://www.ncefl.org.uk/news/ncelpremierdivision/2014/3508-changeofownershipatgarforth/ Change of ownership at Garforth] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124101131/http://www.ncefl.org.uk/news/ncelpremierdivision/2014/3508-changeofownershipatgarforth/ |date=24 January 2025 }} Northern Counties East League, 20 January 2015

= Football Association =

Lowe has served as a member of the executive board of The Football Association as a Premier League representative and as an FA Councillor and on the FA Cup committee.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/3489097.stm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019092016/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/3489097.stm|title=Rupert the Rare|date=23 August 2004|work=BBC News|accessdate=12 July 2024|archivedate=19 October 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news/blunders-increase-eriksson-and-thompson-s-chances-of-survival-50258.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240712115331/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news/blunders-increase-eriksson-and-thompson-s-chances-of-survival-50258.html|title=Blunders increase Eriksson and Thompson's chances of survival|date=23 August 2004|work=The Independent|accessdate=12 July 2024|archivedate=12 July 2024|url-status=live}}

Political career

Lowe was a member of the Conservative Party until 1993, when he left the party after questioning the Maastricht Treaty.{{cite web |last1=Lowe |first1=Rupert |title=LIVE! RUPERT LOWE SPEAKS OUT AS HE RESPONDS TO ALLEGATIONS BY REFORM, NIGEL FARAGE & ZIA YUSUF|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R53oMmGZpnE&t=2913s |website=youtube.com |publisher=Dan Wootton Outspoken |language=en |format=video |date=10 March 2025}}{{bsn|date=March 2025}} He stood for election as the Referendum Party candidate for The Cotswolds at the 1997 general election and came fourth. He won a seat for the Brexit Party in the West Midlands constituency at the 2019 European Parliament election.{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/unitedkingdom/en/european-elections/uk_meps/west_midlands_region.html|title=West Midlands Region – 7 MEPs|publisher=European Parliament|access-date=25 September 2019|archive-date=25 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925064136/http://www.europarl.europa.eu/unitedkingdom/en/european-elections/uk_meps/west_midlands_region.html|url-status=live}} Lowe had planned to be the Brexit Party Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the Dudley North constituency of the UK Parliament,{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/dudley/2019/08/02/rupert-lowe-and-paul-brothwood-announced-as-brexit-party-candidates-for-dudley/|title=Brexit Party MEP Rupert Lowe will bid to unseat Ian Austin in future general election|last=Farrington|first=Dayna|website=Express & Star|date=2 August 2019 |access-date=25 September 2019}} but he ultimately withdrew.{{cite tweet|number=1195008427778596867|user=RupertLowe10|title=It is with a heavy heart I have decided not to contest Dudley North as a Brexit Party candidate. I am putting cou…|date=14 November 2019}}{{Cite web |date=2019-11-14 |title=Brexit Party candidate for Dudley North withdraws from election race |url=https://www.dudleynews.co.uk/news/18037470.brexit-party-candidate-dudley-north-withdraws-election-race/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520224407/https://www.dudleynews.co.uk/news/18037470.brexit-party-candidate-dudley-north-withdraws-election-race/ |archive-date=2024-05-20 |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Dudley News |language=en}} In a January 2020 speech in the European Parliament, he cast doubt on the validity of man-made climate change, calling it a "cult" which "marches on with no definitive evidence to support or deny the factual accuracy of [climate scientists'] assertions".[https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/CRE-9-2020-01-13-INT-1-062-0000_EN.html "Devastating Bushfires in Australia and other extreme weather events as a consequence of Climate Change (debate)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702095200/https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/CRE-9-2020-01-13-INT-1-062-0000_EN.html |date=2 July 2024 }}, Verbatim report of proceedings of the European Parliament, Monday, 13 January 2020 – Strasbourg. Quoted in {{cite news |last1=Hogan |first1=Fintan |title=At least 30 Reform candidates have cast doubt on human-induced global heating |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/01/at-least-30-reform-candidates-have-cast-doubt-on-human-induced-global-heating |work=The Guardian |date=1 July 2024 }}

In March 2023 Lowe returned to politics as Reform UK's Business and Agriculture Spokesman.{{cite web |date=March 2023 |title=Reform UK Departmental Team Responsibilities |url=https://www.reformparty.uk/departmental_responsibilities_of_reform_uk_spokespeople |accessdate=15 June 2024 |website=Reform UK |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116084254/https://www.reformparty.uk/departmental_responsibilities_of_reform_uk_spokespeople |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|first1=Rubert|last1=Lowe|url=https://x.com/RupertLowe10/status/1637782754510225410|title=Absolutely delighted to join Reform UK.|website=Twitter|date=March 2023|accessdate=15 June 2024|archive-date=15 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615232448/https://x.com/RupertLowe10/status/1637782754510225410|url-status=live}} He contested the 2024 Kingswood by-election, finishing in third place, surpassing 10% and achieving Reform's best-ever by-election result. This was bettered later the same day by Ben Habib's 13% of the vote in the Wellingborough by-election.{{cite web |title=Kingswood by-election result: Another defeat for Rishi Sunak as Labour wins seat |url=https://news.sky.com/story/kingswood-by-election-result-another-defeat-for-rishi-sunak-as-labour-wins-seat-13071412 |access-date=16 February 2024 |website=Sky News |archive-date=16 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216020612/https://news.sky.com/story/kingswood-by-election-result-another-defeat-for-rishi-sunak-as-labour-wins-seat-13071412 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Labour wins Wellingborough seat in by-election |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-68313404 |work=BBC News |access-date=16 February 2024 |date=16 February 2024 |archive-date=16 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216042453/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-68313404 |url-status=live }}

= Parliamentary career =

File:Reform MPs in Parliament.jpg, Richard Tice and Nigel Farage in 2024]]

In the 2024 general election on 4 July, he stood for the Great Yarmouth constituency{{cite news|url=https://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/24279246.rupert-lowe-standing-great-yarmouth-reform-candidate/|title=Meet the ex-football boss who hopes to be your next MP|date=28 April 2024|website=Great Yarmouth Mercury|accessdate=24 June 2024|archive-date=12 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612235757/https://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/24279246.rupert-lowe-standing-great-yarmouth-reform-candidate/|url-status=live}} and won, gaining 35.3 per cent of the vote.{{cite news |title=Great Yarmouth – General election results 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/E14001256 |access-date=5 July 2024 |work=BBC News }} After his election he compiled a list of schools in his constituency where he said that teachers were biased against Reform during the election campaign, saying he would be meeting with headteachers to discuss the allegations.{{cite news |last1=Quinn |first1=Ben |last2=Weale |first2=Sally |title=Reform UK MP accused of mounting 'witch-hunt' against local teachers |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/09/reform-uk-mp-accused-of-mounting-witch-hunt-against-local-teachers |access-date=10 July 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=9 July 2024}} He also pledged to donate his MP salary to a different local charity or worthy cause each month.{{cite web |title=Boris warns Tories not to merge with Reform |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/07/05/general-election-2024-results-live-updates2/ |website=The Daily Telegraph |date=5 July 2024 |access-date=7 July 2024 |archive-date=6 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706192329/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/07/05/general-election-2024-results-live-updates2/ |url-status=live |last1=Sigsworth |first1=Tim |last2=Penna |first2=Dominic }}{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/1524138f-585a-438a-a467-b1cae523f3e1|title=Reform MP faces backlash for giving away salary|first1=Anna|last1=Gross|first2=George|last2=Parker|date=20 September 2024|accessdate=3 December 2024|work=FT}}

In January 2025 the South African-Canadian-American billionaire businessman Elon Musk, who had endorsed Reform UK, called on Nigel Farage to resign as leader, and then praised Lowe.{{cite news |last1=Hutchinson |first1=Emma |title=Who is Rupert Lowe, the MP Elon Musk thinks could replace Nigel Farage as Reform UK leader? |url=https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2025-01-06/who-is-rupert-lowe-the-mp-elon-musk-thinks-should-be-reform-uk-leader |access-date=7 January 2025 |work=ITV News |date=6 January 2025 |archive-date=7 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107203010/https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2025-01-06/who-is-rupert-lowe-the-mp-elon-musk-thinks-should-be-reform-uk-leader |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Toth |first1=Albert |title=Who is Rupert Lowe? From unpopular football chairman to Musk's candidate to lead Reform after Farage fallout |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/reform-rupert-lowe-farage-musk-southampton-b2674865.html |access-date=7 January 2025 |work=The Independent |date=7 January 2025 |archive-date=7 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107203939/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/reform-rupert-lowe-farage-musk-southampton-b2674865.html |url-status=live }} Lowe thanked Musk, but reiterated his support for Farage.{{cite news |last1=Sinclair |first1=Andrew |title=Reform MP backs leader Farage amid Musk snub |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn85d8vjdleo |access-date=7 January 2025 |work=BBC News |date=6 January 2025 |archive-date=8 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108205046/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn85d8vjdleo |url-status=live }} The dispute between Musk and Farage stemmed from Musk's endorsement of the imprisoned activist Tommy Robinson, whom Farage has rejected; Lowe said Robinson should be acknowledged for "exposing these [child rape] gangs" but called him "not right for Reform".

On 8 January 2025 Lowe brought in a Ten Minute Rule Bill to ban quantitative easing, praising Argentinian president Javier Milei and looking forward to Elon Musk working with Donald Trump, before saying "The cost of government should be covered by taxes alone, limiting the growth of excessive statism" which he said was linked to "a general moral decline in society".{{cite web |title=Quantitative Easing (Prohibition) |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2025-01-08/debates/8B7172B2-ADDA-4448-B830-D96FAF3FAD5E/QuantitativeEasing(Prohibition) |website=Hansard |access-date=8 March 2025}} Also in January 2025, Lowe voted along with other Reform UK MPs to block the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill with a motion that called for a new national inquiry into grooming gangs. The amendment was defeated at 364 votes to 111, a majority of 253 against the amendment.{{cite web|url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/grooming-gangs-inquiry-voted-down-parliament/|title=MPs vote down Conservatives' attempt to force new national grooming gangs inquiry|date=8 January 2025|website=LBC|access-date=11 January 2025|archive-date=11 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111004956/https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/grooming-gangs-inquiry-voted-down-parliament/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/mps-vote-against-new-national-inquiry-into-grooming-gangs-13285629|title=MPs vote against new national inquiry into grooming gangs|date=8 January 2025|work=Sky News|archive-date=9 January 2025|access-date=11 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250109013457/https://news.sky.com/story/mps-vote-against-new-national-inquiry-into-grooming-gangs-13285629|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/01/08/politics-latest-news-keir-starmer-elon-musk-grooming-vote/|title=Labour accused of 'cowardice' after blocking national grooming inquiry|first1=Daniel|last1=Martin|first2=Genevieve|last2=Holl-Allen|first3=Jack|last3=Maidment|date=8 January 2025|work=The Daily Telegraph|archive-date=11 January 2025|access-date=11 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111004956/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/01/08/politics-latest-news-keir-starmer-elon-musk-grooming-vote/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/how-your-mp-voted-grooming-gangs-inquiry-3469733?ico=most_popular|title=How your MP voted on holding an inquiry into grooming gangs|first=Bill|last=McLoughlin|date=8 January 2025|website=The i Paper|access-date=11 January 2025|archive-date=9 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250109143246/https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/how-your-mp-voted-grooming-gangs-inquiry-3469733?ico=most_popular|url-status=live}}

On 6 March 2025, in an interview with the Daily Mail, Lowe criticised the governance of Reform UK as "a protest party led by the Messiah", suggesting he might leave the party if things did not change, and saying it was too early to tell whether Farage would make a good prime minister.{{Cite news |last1=Holl-Allen |first1=Genevieve |last2=Gibbons |first2=Amy |last3=Leake |first3=Natasha |date=2025-03-06 |title=Farage acts like a 'messiah', says Reform MP |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/03/06/farage-acts-like-a-messiah-says-reform-mp/ |access-date=2025-03-07 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}} Farage disputed Lowe's criticism of himself and Reform UK, describing his personal following as a good thing, and went on to suggest Lowe's remarks were driven by a desire to be prime minister himself. In the same Daily Mail interview, Lowe stated he thought that MPs' pay should be increased to about £250,000 a year with the size of the House of Commons halved, and described the BBC as a "cancer at the heart of Britain".{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/06/reform-mp-says-nigel-farage-must-change-messianic-leadership-style|title=Reform faces split as Farage hits back over 'messianic' criticism|first=Rowena|last=Mason|date=6 March 2025|accessdate=7 March 2025|work=The Guardian}}

=Bullying allegations and suspension from Reform UK=

On 7 March 2025 it was announced that Lowe had been reported to the police by Reform UK after its chairman, the businessman Zia Yusuf, alleged Lowe made verbal threats against him three months and a month prior, in December 2024 and in February 2025 respectively,{{cite news |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gm5dr95jqo |title=Police investigate MP Rupert Lowe over alleged threats |access-date=14 March 2025 |date=11 March 2025 |first=Sam |last=Francis |url-status=live |archive-date=14 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250314105512/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gm5dr95jqo}} and that he was also under investigation by Reform UK for claims of bullying within his parliamentary office.{{cite news |title=Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe reported to police over alleged threats against party chair |url=https://news.sky.com/story/reform-uk-mp-rupert-lowe-reported-to-police-over-alleged-threats-to-party-chair-13323564 |first=Tim |last=Baker |date=7 March 2025 |access-date=2025-03-07 |work=Sky News |language=en}} Reform UK said that Lowe had also refused to cooperate with the investigation, while Lowe himself said that Reform UK's statement was published before an investigation had even begun.{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Henry |title=Reform UK investigating Rupert Lowe after complaints of 'serious bullying' by female employees |url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/uk/reform-uk-investigating-rupert-lowe-after-complaints-of-serious-bullying/ |date=7 March 2025 |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=LBC |language=en |archive-date=7 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307195756/https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/uk/reform-uk-investigating-rupert-lowe-after-complaints-of-serious-bullying/ |url-status=live }} Lowe subsequently had the whip suspended by Party Whip Lee Anderson who said 'to remove the whip was a deeply painful thing to do.'{{Cite web |last=Heren |first=Kit |title=Reform UK civil war as party suspends Rupert Lowe after complaints of 'serious bullying' by female employees |url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/uk/reform-suspends-rupert-lowe-mp/ |date=7 March 2025 |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=LBC |language=en |archive-date=7 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307190431/https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/uk/reform-suspends-rupert-lowe-mp/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/03/08/lee-anderson-reform-cannot-go-on-with-rupert-lowe/|title=Lee Anderson: Reform UK cannot go on with Rupert Lowe as MP|first=Ethan|last=Croft|date=8 March 2025|work=The Daily Telegraph}}

Lowe denied all allegations against him and called them vexatious.{{Cite web |last=Hazell |first=Will |title=Inside Reform's civil war: Farage's rivals are circling - and gunning for defections|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/inside-reforms-civil-war-farage-activists-defect-3583719 |date=14 March 2025 |website=The i Paper |language=en}} He also alleged that there were malicious briefings against him by "senior Reform figures" to journalists to claim he had dementia{{Cite web|url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/politics/uk-politics/nigel-farage-reform-uk-rupert-lowe/|title=Nigel Farage warns 'no way back' for Rupert Lowe in Reform UK amid bullying investigation|date=12 March 2025|website=LBC}} and that both his removal from Reform UK and the investigation into his alleged conduct were in response to his criticisms of Farage as leader of the party.{{cite news| title=The Rupert Lowe fracas shows why Reform may not survive |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/11/the-rupert-lowe-fracas-shows-reform-wont-survive |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=11 March 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/03/11/farage-rupert-lowe-row-huge-distraction-i-could-do-without/|title=Musk 'considers backing Rupert Lowe if he forms new party after Reform row'|first=Dominic|last=Penna|date=11 March 2025|work=The Daily Telegraph}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/politics/uk-politics/rupert-lowe-speaks-out-police-reform-farage/|title='All I did was stand up to Farage': Suspended Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe breaks silence as police launch probe|date=11 March 2025|website=LBC}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c80yd11nm73o|title=Nigel Farage hits back at Reform UK MP's leadership criticism|date=6 March 2025|work=BBC News}}{{cite news |date=2025-03-14 |title=Farage ally hints Reform leader could axe party chair in row with Rupert Lowe |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nigel-farage-zia-yusuf-reform-b2715088.html |access-date=2025-03-15 |work=The Independent}} In a statement to the media, Lowe said he had been continually "frozen out of meetings, policy discussions, press conferences and more" for pushing for internal party reform, and accused Farage of putting "a knife in [Lowe's] back over false allegations".{{cite news |last=Walker |first=Peter|title=Divided Reform UK reports own MP to police amid bullying claims |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/07/reform-uk-chaos-claims-bullying-rupert-lowe |date=8 March 2025 |access-date=2025-03-07 |work=The Guardian |language=en}}

Lowe said that he had disagreed with Farage over the former's endorsement of mass deportations and support for forcibly removing over a million people from the UK if required.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/09/nigel-farage-rupert-lowe-reform-uk-feud-escalates|last=Courea|first=Eleni|work=The Guardian|date=9 March 2025|accessdate=9 March 2025|title=Reform feud escalates as Nigel Farage and Rupert Lowe trade public barbs}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/reform-uk-reform-conservative-echr-british-b2711651.html|last=Besley|first=John|work=The Independent|date=9 March 2025|access-date=9 March 2025|language=en|title=Lowe says he was 'warned' by Reform UK leadership over position on deportations}} Staff members for Lowe have dismissed the bullying allegations as "nonsense",{{cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/the-reform-row-what-has-happened-and-what-has-been-said-13325620|last=Rogers|first=Alexandra|work=Sky News|date=10 March 2025|language=en|title=The Reform row: What has happened and what has been said?|access-date=11 March 2025|archive-date=11 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250311034514/https://news.sky.com/story/the-reform-row-what-has-happened-and-what-has-been-said-13325620|url-status=live}} and the alleged bullying by Lowe was later revealed not to involve him. Lowe's entire parliamentary team wrote a public letter in support of him, denying the allegations and stating they have never been contacted as part of any parliamentary investigation. The former deputy leader of Reform UK Ben Habib called Lowe's suspension "an injustice". Habib accused Farage and Yusuf of "trumping up complaints against" Lowe to oust him after Elon Musk suggested Lowe should become Leader of Reform UK instead of Farage. Reform's official X account stopped retweeting Lowe's posts after Musk's comments. Habib called for both men's resignations.{{Cite news |last=Habib |first=Ben |date=2025-03-08 |title=If anyone deserves to be removed from Reform, it's Zia Yusuf |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/08/if-anyone-deserves-to-be-removed-from-reform-its-zia-yusuf/ |access-date=2025-03-15 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}{{Cite news |last=Habib |first=Ben |date=2025-03-13 |title=Farage must step aside and let Rupert Lowe lead Reform |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/13/farage-must-step-aside-and-let-rupert-lowe-lead-reform/ |access-date=2025-03-15 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}

Musk has reportedly considered backing Lowe if he forms a new party after the row,{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/d7cbb26a-57b8-4fd5-ac5b-00de25d53a0e|title=Musk expresses support for rival to Reform UK as feud in Farage's party intensifies|first=Anna|last=Gross|work=Financial Times |date=10 March 2025}} while multiple senior Conservative figures expressed an interest in Lowe defecting to the Conservative Party instead.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/inside-reform-rupert-lowe-civil-war|title='The Tories Can Have Him': Inside Reform's Rupert Lowe Crisis|date=14 March 2025|website=Politics Home}} On 20 March 2025 BBC News reported on a series of leaked WhatsApp messages between Farage and an unnamed source in which Farage spoke of Lowe as "contemptible" and his anger with Lowe's Daily Mail interview. In the messages, Farage stated that the inquiry into Lowe's alleged behaviour was the right thing to do because the "reputation of the party must be protected", and that he had not allowed a lawyer to complete the investigation before suspending Lowe because he had been "damaging the party just before elections". In response, Lowe told the BBC that the leaked messages proved that the motivation behind his removal was his criticism of Reform UK's party structure, policy and communication and criticism of Farage himself. Lowe concluded by saying Farage "must never be Prime Minister". Farage himself did not comment on the leaks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj0qgnvqmm5o|title=Reform UK row: Leaked messages reveal Farage fury with Lowe|first1=Chris|last1=Mason|first2=Laura|last2=Kuenssberg|work=BBC News|date=20 March 2025}}

== Dismissal of the legal proceedings against Lowe ==

After a thorough review of the evidence, including multiple witness statements, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced on 14 May 2025 that there was insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction related to Yusuf's allegations.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-14 |title=Ex-Reform MP Lowe will not face charges over alleged threats |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cnv138z2gl9o |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |last=Penna |first=Dominic |date=2025-05-14 |title=Rupert Lowe brands Farage 'a coward and a viper' after Reform allegations dropped |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/05/14/rupert-lowe-not-prosecuted-reform-bullying-allegations/ |access-date=2025-05-14 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}

Personal life

Lowe is a multi-millionaire.{{cite news |last= Belam |first= Martin |date= 20 September 2024 |title= Farage says Tory brand is 'bust' as other Reform UK speeches target immigrants, drag queens, vegans and more – as it happened |url= https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2024/sep/20/reform-party-conference-labour-tories-nigel-farage-keir-starmer-uk-politics-live?page=with:block-66ed95468f086d347dcb5dcb&filterKeyEvents=false |work= The Guardian |access-date= 27 September 2024 |quote= Multi-millionaire Rupert Lowe ...}}{{cite news |last= Fox-Leonard |first= Boudicca |date= 8 December 2024 |title= How your pint of milk found itself at the centre of a new conspiracy war |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/08/milk-conspiracy-theory-bovaer/ |work= The Daily Telegraph |access-date= 27 December 2024 |quote= The Reform MP for Great Yarmouth and multi-millionaire businessman Rupert Lowe posted on X: “I won't be consuming anything containing Bovaer.” |archive-date= 27 December 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20241227235119/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/08/milk-conspiracy-theory-bovaer/ |url-status= live }} He is married to Nicky Lowe and they have four children.{{cite news|title=Rupert the Chair |url= https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5615672.rupert-the-chair/ |access-date=25 August 2001 |work=Daily Echo |date=20 September 2024}} Lowe owns Ravenswell Farm in Withington, near Cheltenham in Gloucestershire.{{cite news|last=Armytage|first=Marcus|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/racing/2020/08/27/smart-move-puts-fergal-obrien-track-top-trainer/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240712130634/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/racing/2020/08/27/smart-move-puts-fergal-obrien-track-top-trainer/|title=Smart move puts Fergal O'Brien on track to be top trainer|date=20 August 2005|work=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=12 July 2024|archivedate=12 July 2024|url-status=live}} The operations of the racehorse trainer Fergal O'Brien are based at the farm.

In February 2018 Lowe was one of several people who received undisclosed damages payouts from Mirror Group Newspapers as part of the phone hacking scandal.{{cite news|title=Rupert Lowe awarded damages over phone hacking|url=http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/15921075.Former_Saints_chairman_Rupert_Lowe_awarded_damages_over_phone_hacking/|access-date=26 March 2018|work=Daily Echo|date=5 February 2018|location=Southampton|archive-date=26 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326202846/http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/15921075.Former_Saints_chairman_Rupert_Lowe_awarded_damages_over_phone_hacking/|url-status=live}} Lowe was appointed a Director of Rutherford Health, PLC in 2018 and Digme Fitness in 2017.{{cite web|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/_DdyNGgUWQ_7Q39ORVXVPsf8aqQ/appointments|title=Rupert James Graham LOWE – Personal Appointments (free information from Companies House)|publisher=Companies House, Government of the United Kingdom}}{{primary-inline|date=March 2025}}

Electoral history

{{Election box begin|title=General election 2024: Great Yarmouth{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/E14001256|title=Great Yarmouth – General election results 2024|accessdate=3 December 2024|work=BBC News}} }}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|party=Reform UK|candidate=Rupert Lowe{{cite web | url=https://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/24279246.rupert-lowe-standing-great-yarmouth-reform-candidate/ | title=Meet the ex-football boss who hopes to be your next MP | date=28 April 2024 }}|votes=14,385|percentage=35.3|change=New|}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Labour Party (UK)|candidate=Keir Cozens{{cite web |title=Great Yarmouth's Labour Party candidate has been announced |url=https://www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk/news/23715900.great-yarmouths-labour-party-candidate-announced/ |access-date=1 December 2023 |website=Great Yarmouth Mercury |date=11 August 2023 }}|votes=12,959|percentage=31.8|change=6.7|}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Conservative Party (UK)|candidate= James Clark|votes=10,034|percentage=24.6|change=-41.2}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Green Party of England and Wales|candidate=Trevor Rawson{{cite web |url=https://www.greenparty.org.uk/our-candidates.html |title=Our Candidates |access-date=1 June 2024 |archive-date=23 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523230325/https://www.greenparty.org.uk/our-candidates.html |url-status=live }}|votes=1,736|percentage=4.3|change=1.9|}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)|candidate=Fionna Tod|votes=1,102|percentage=2.7|change=-1.1}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Independent politician|candidate=Paul Brown|votes=230|percentage=0.6|change=New}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=English Democrats|candidate=Catherine Blaiklock{{cite web |title=Parliamentary Constituencies – Eastern |url=https://www.englishdemocrats.party/parliamentary_constituencies_eastern |website=English Democrats |access-date=23 May 2024 |archive-date=23 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523110949/https://www.englishdemocrats.party/parliamentary_constituencies_eastern |url-status=live }}|votes=171|percentage=0.4|change=New|}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Independent politician|candidate=Clare Roullier|votes=131|percentage=0.3|change=New}}

{{Election box gain with party link|winner=Reform UK|loser=Conservative Party (UK)|swing=}}

{{Election box begin|title=2024 Kingswood by-election{{cite web |date=19 January 2024 |title=Statement of Persons Nominated |url=https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/static/7f5e75229e24755762e4682d2b90f86b/Notice-of-Statement-of-Persons-Nominated-and-Notice-of-Poll-and-Situtaion-of-Polling-Stations.pdf |access-date=19 January 2024 |website=South Gloucestershire Council |archive-date=19 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119190155/https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/static/7f5e75229e24755762e4682d2b90f86b/Notice-of-Statement-of-Persons-Nominated-and-Notice-of-Poll-and-Situtaion-of-Polling-Stations.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |title=Labour overturns Tory majority to win key by-election seat in Kingswood |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-68277176 |access-date=16 February 2024 |website=BBC News |date=16 February 2024 }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party=Labour Party (UK)

|candidate=Damien Egan

|votes=11,176|

percentage=44.9

|change=+11.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party=Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate=Sam Bromiley

|votes=8,675

|percentage=34.9

|change=–21.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party=Reform UK

|candidate=Rupert Lowe

|votes=2,578

|percentage=10.4

|change=New

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party=Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate=Lorraine Francis

|votes=1,450

|percentage=5.8

|change=+3.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate=Andrew Brown

|votes=861

|percentage=3.5

|change=–3.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party=UK Independence Party

|candidate=Nicholas Wood

|votes=129

|percentage=0.5

|change=New

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes=2,501

|percentage=10.0

|change=N/A

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes=24,869

|percentage= 37.1

|change= –34.4

}}

{{Election box Registered electors

|reg. electors = 67,103

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box gain with party link

| winner = Labour Party (UK)

| loser = Conservative Party (UK)

| swing = +16.4

}}

{{Election box begin for list|title = European Election 2019: West Midlands{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48081683|title=2019 European elections: List of candidates for the West Midlands|website=BBC News|access-date=28 April 2019|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919203836/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48081683|url-status=live}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Brexit Party|candidate=Rupert Lowe, Martin Daubney, Andrew England Kerr|votes=507,152
(169,050.67)|percentage=37.66|change=N/A}}

{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Labour Party (UK)|candidate=Neena Gill|votes=228,298|percentage=16.95|change=-9.76}}

{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Liberal Democrats (UK)|candidate=Phil Bennion|votes=219,982|percentage=16.33|change=+10.77}}

{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Green Party of England and Wales|candidate=Ellie Chowns|votes=143,520|percentage=10.66|change=+5.40}}

{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Conservative Party (UK)|candidate=Anthea McIntyre|votes=135,279|percentage=10.04|change=-14.27}}

{{Election box candidate with party link||party=UK Independence Party|candidate= |votes=66,934|percentage=4.97|change=-26.52}}

{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Change UK|candidate= |votes=45,673|percentage=3.39|change=+3.39}}

{{Election box turnout||votes=1,355,222|percentage=33.1|change={{nochange}}}}

{{Election box begin|title=1997 general election: Cotswold{{cite web|title=Election Data 1997|url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1997.txt|publisher=Electoral Calculus|access-date=18 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015054424/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1997.txt|archive-date=15 October 2011}}Percentage change and swing for 1997 is calculated relative to the Rallings and Thrasher 1992 notional constituency result, not actual 1992 result. See C. Rallings & M. Thrasher, The Media Guide to the New Parliamentary Constituencies (Plymouth: LGC Elections Centre, 1995)}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Geoffrey Clifton-Brown

|votes = 23,698

|percentage = 46.4

|change = −8.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = David Gayler

|votes = 11,733

|percentage = 22.9