MP Rupert Lowe is facing questions after funds raised were not declared (Image: Getty)
Parliament’s standards watchdog has concluded that Rupert Lowe did not break rules by accepting thousands of pounds from members of the public for his “Rape Gang Inquiry”. The independent MP for Great Yarmouth launched a crowdfunder in March to support a national inquiry into the scandal of children being groomed and abused by gangs across the UK.
Mr Lowe, now an independent MP, set up his inquiry before Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced there would be a new Government-backed inquiry in June. The fundraiser has so far raised more than ￡600,000, and it was revealed this morning that the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards had launched the investigation over questions about whether Mr Lowe had declared the cash on his register of interests.
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The watchdog’s web page says the investigation was opened on July 10 because of a “failure to register interests”, though the commissioner would not publicly comment on the reason.
MPs are required to update their register of interests within 28 days once they receive a donation from a single source of more than ￡1,500, or more than ￡300 in gifts or earnings.
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However in a record quick turnaround, the Commissioner has now concluded he is content that the Great Yarmouth MP has not broken any rules.
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In an updated ruling published this afternoon, the top ethics body cleared Mr Lowe of any malpractice, concluding "that the evidence submitted does not demonstrate on the balance of probabilities that Rule 5 of the code of conduct has been breached."
In letters between Mr Lowe and the Commissioner, the MP insisted that he had taken all relevant steps to coordinate his fundraising efforts with the Electoral Commission, and is in the process of registering any individual donations over ￡1,500.
In his letter to the commissioner, Mr Lowe said that the investigation had been initiated by "veryxatious complaint, completely bore of malice intent from a disgruntled ex-employee".
In a social media statement this afternoon following the commissioner's dismissal of the case, Mr Lowe said he would be making a formal complaint to the BBC after they published details of the investigation based on "leaked confidential" information from the complainant.
He fumed: "It's a hit job. Another hit job.
"I do not think that it is a coincidence that this complaint has come just a few days before we are welcoming 40 rape gang survivors to Parliament.
"We have been in contact with hundreds of survivors. We are giving them a voice. We are uncovering the truth - this evil is absolutely everywhere. It is sick.
"We will keep fighting for the truth. The political establishment is desperate to smear me, but we will not be stopped."
Mr Lowe was elected as a Reform UK MP, but was suspended by the party in March amid claims he had threatened then-party chairman Zia Yusuf.
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He denied the allegations, and the Crown Prosecution Service said no criminal charges would be brought against him in relation to alleged threats towards Mr Yusuf.
Mr Lowe has since accused his ex-colleagues of engaging in a “sinister” attempt to use the police to silence him, and called Reform’s leader Nigel Farage a “coward and a viper”.
Not long after he was suspended, Mr Lowe launched his private investigation into the grooming gang scandal, amid pressure from the Government’s opponents for a new inquiry.
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