Your support helps us to tell the story
Read more
Support Now
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Read more
Ex-Reform member Rupert Lowe has pledged ￡1,000 to a fundraiser after he mistook a charity rowing team for illegal migrants.
The now independent MP for Great Yarmouth had posted a picture on social media on Thursday night showing a boat near some wind turbines off the Norfolk coast.
“Dinghies coming into Great Yarmouth, RIGHT NOW,” he wrote on X.
“Authorities alerted, and I am urgently chasing. If these are illegal migrants, I will be using every tool at my disposal to ensure these individuals are deported.”
But the vessel pictured was, in fact, an ocean rowing boat crewed by ROW4MND, a team of four who are attempting to row from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise money for motor neurone disease (MND).
RECOMMENDED
Magnitude 6.1 earthquake causes buildings to collapse in Turkey
Undo
KFC is bringing back two discontinued menu items after popular demand
Undo
Former Kansas missile silo seeks $1.3 million, could be a blast as a homeHomes.com |
Undo
Rare Nickel Alloy Could Break China's Nickel MonopolyTomorrow Investor |
Undo
Powered by TaboolaPowered by Taboola
The crew – Matthew Parker, Mike Bates, Aaron Kneebone and Liz Wardley – said they had been contacted by HM Coastguard and asked if they could see a dinghy nearby, but it soon became clear the service was asking about their own boat.
open image in gallery
From left, Liz Wardley, Mike Bates, Aaron Kneebone and Matthew Parker, before they left Cornwall for Scotland on their charity voyage(ROW4MND)
After satisfying the coastguard that their boat was not carrying migrants, they continued, but several hours later were contacted again because the police had “asked if they could send a lifeboat out to check who we were”.
Eventually, a friend forwarded Mr Lowe’s post, which Mr Bates said provided “a moment of light relief”.
open image in gallery
Independent MP Rupert Lowe said he would donate to the rowers’ charity(PA)
He said: “We found it hilarious. I’ve not been mistaken for a migrant before.
“The best comment was the one asking where the Royal Navy were when you need them. I’m a former Royal Marine, so the Royal Navy were on the boat.”
He added: “But it was almost like a vigilante-style, people following us down the beach.
“They hadn’t twigged that we were parallel to the shore for hours and not trying to land.”
open image in gallery
The MP had posted a picture on social media on Thursday night showing a boat near wind turbines off the Norfolk coast(X/@RupertLowe10)
After realising his mistake, Mr Lowe pledged ￡1,000 to the team’s fundraiser, but said he would not apologise for “being vigilant”.
“Good news. False alarm!” he posted on X.
“The unknown vessel was charity rowers, thank goodness. As a well done to the crew, I’ll donate ￡1,000 to their charity – raising money for MND. Keep going, and watch out for any real illegal migrants!
“We received a huge number of urgent complaints from constituents – I make no apologies over being vigilant for my constituents. It is a national crisis.
“No mass deportations for the charity rowers, but we definitely need it for the illegal migrants!”
After the coastguard checked their identities, the quartet set off from Land’s End on 25 July and initially headed north into the Irish Sea before bad weather forced them to stop at Milford Haven in Wales.
They then decided to return to Land’s End and start again, this time heading in the other direction, which Mr Bates said had been “about us showing resolve and resilience and hope”.
The journey is the first of four challenges over four years, with the group aiming to row from John O’Groats to Land’s End next year, from California to Hawaii in 2027, and from New York to London in 2028, with a target of raising ￡57m for MND research.
So far, they have raised ￡107,515 for the charity.
Mr Bates said: “We’re rowing for hope, we’re rowing to find a cure, and hopefully we’ll raise ￡57m – we certainly will if MPs keep talking about us. Maybe Rupert will give us a donation.”