Private Eye criticises Reform Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe

Rupert Lowe, Reform MP for Great Yarmouth, says he "couldn't care less" about the comments made in a scathing article by Private Eye - the satirical political magazine run by Ian Hislop.

The profile, published in this month's issue titled "UK Riots: ringleaders identified", explores his education and business background and takes a swipe at comments he has made on social media since being elected. 

Mr Lowe was unphased by the attack, saying: "It is the opinion of my constituents I care about quite frankly."

Rupert Lowe during a recent visit to Gorleston (Image: Rupert Lowe)

PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND FAILED FIRMS

The article describes the MP's education at private schools in Oxford, Dragon Preparatory School and Radley College, which charge between £41,100 - £51,100 per year, before saying: "The ideal background for a non-elitist man of the people."

It goes on to describe his career in finance at firms including Morgan Grenfell, Deutsche Bank and Barings Bank and later his stint as Southampton FC chair.

His connections with a failed gym company that went bust in 2022 also come under the spotlight.

It follows Mr Lowe recording his financial interests with the House of Commons, detailing the 13 organisations he currently serves as a director or chair for.

He was co-director, together with former prime minister Rishi Sunak's wife Akshata Murty, of Digme Fitness.

Akshata Murty, wife of former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, during his speech in Downing Street after the general election defeat (Image: PA)

It collapsed after taking £630,000 in furlough cash and owing creditors - including taxpayers £6.1m. 

Mr Lowe said Digme Fitness was "sadly a casualty of the pandemic and lockdowns" and said he was not liable for any debts.

"Clearly, when the law prevented people from attending gyms - a network of gyms suffered immensely. In fact, I lost an awful lot of money," he added.

"Westminster needs more risk-takers in its ranks, with men and women who understand how the business world works. 

"Risk in itself is risky. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I won’t apologise for having a wide range of business experience. 

"If people want more career politicians who have only ever worked in politics, there is plenty of that on offer at elections."

Rupert Lowe, Reform MP for Great Yarmouth, has been criticised for his social media posts in recent weeks (Image: PA)

SOCIAL MEDIA BACKLASH

The MP, who lives at Ravenswell Farm - a 550-acre farm and equestrian centre in the Cotswolds village of Withington - is also criticised for his social media posts.

It describes Mr Lowe's letter to Norfolk's police and crime commissioner as claiming Great Yarmouth is a "crime dystopia" after he suggested women have been "harassed and attacked by gangs of men" and that shoplifting "almost seems to be tolerated".

Ian Hislop, editor of Private Eye since 1986 (Image: PA)

He was also lambasted for his comments on the recent riots, which Private Eye said he blamed on "mass migration".

In addition, it is claimed that Mr Lowe posted an "offensive comment" related to a court artist's sketch of the 17-year-old charged over the Southport stabbings - a post he later removed after commenters described it as an "egregious contempt of court".

Responding to the article, the 66-year-old said: "We live in a free country, for now, and Private Eye is entitled to its opinion of me. Some will agree, others will disagree. 

"I couldn’t care less if they don’t believe that I’m a ‘man of the people’.

"I was honoured to have the faith of thousands and thousands of voters in Great Yarmouth. It’s the opinion of my constituents I care about quite frankly."

Private Eye, founded in 1961, has been edited by Ian Hislop - known for his role on BBC's Have I Got News for You - since 1986.