MP refuses to apologise for wrongly calling charity rowers ‘illegal migrants’

LocalPolitics
9 Aug 2025 • 12:28 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • 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.

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