Rupert Lowe launched a scathing attack on the corporation (Image: PA)

       Rupert Lowe has launched a blistering attack on the BBC, calling it a “rotten monopoly” that “desperately needs ripping apart” after he was cleared by Parliament’s standards watchdog over a crowdfunder linked to his inquiry into grooming gangs. The independent MP for Great Yarmouth - who left Reform UK earlier this year - set up the crowdfunder in March to support a national investigation into gang-based sexual exploitation across the UK. It has raised more than ￡600,000 but came under scrutiny after a complaint was made about Mr Lowe’s failure to declare the donations within the required timeframe.

       Mr Lowe said the complaint was "a malicious attempt to shut me down and undermine our inquiry," claiming details of the investigation were leaked to the BBC. Writing on X after the watchdog’s report was published, Mr Lowe said: "The complainant, who held the leaked details of the ‘confidential’ investigation, has a clear and evidenced connection to Reform – you can draw your own conclusions about how this information reached the media."

       Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

       The Shoe That is Quietly Taking Over Men’s ClosetsBreathable uppers and marathon running shoe technology...Wolf & Shepherd | Sponsored Sponsored

       Shop Now

       Undo

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Boris Johnson's friend defected to Reform - here's what Farage should do next to win

       49 Comments

       Nightmare for Starmer as McCluskey says trade unions will ditch Labour for Corbyn's party

       99 Comments

       Reform's Lee Anderson says BBC's day of shame proves it's time to scrap the licence fee

       64 Comments

       Labour's mask slips as PMQs shows just how scared they are of Nigel Farage

       151 Comments

       Nigel Farage fury as Donald Trump given major snub by Parliament for his UK state visit

       126 Comments

       Voting Reform UK is a trap - they've already caught the Westminster disease

       68 Comments

       Lee Anderson loses it after Nigel Farage is heckled in PMQs madness

       436 Comments

       Angela Rayner delivers grim three-word verdict to Labour MPs after huge rebellion

       43 Comments

       Nigel Farage blasts 'out of touch' MPs in scathing response to PMQs heckling

       84 Comments

       Labour haemorrhaging voters in blow to Keir Starmer as Nigel Farage boosted

       72 Comments

       Remainer Peter Mandelson admits UK-US trade deal 'only possible' because of Brexit

       208 Comments

       More top Tories 'will defect to Reform' after Jake Berry joins Nigel Farage's team

       82 Comments

       Poll: Farage beats Starmer hands down with voters but one key factor is his achilles heel

       519 Comments

       Moment Nigel Farage is drowned out by woke Remoaners in chaotic PMQs scenes

       1557 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Click Here

       Undo

       MP Rupert Lowe cleared by Commons watchdog over ￡600,000 raised for grooming gang inquiry

       97 Comments

       James Cleverly blasts Nigel Farage's Reform UK as 'repository for disgruntled Tories'

       147 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Click Here

       Undo

       EU insiders 'worried sick' over Farage's Reform tidal wave and 'plotting with Starmer'

       1436 Comments

       Keir Starmer to cosy up to Donald Trump on visit to president's Scottish golf course

       136 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Click Here

       Undo

       ‘Absolute disgrace!' Moment MP explodes as Labour blocks Hillsborough Law

       69 Comments

       Huge blow to Liz Truss as Reform insider issues brutal verdict

       169 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Click Here

       Undo

       Boris Johnson's friend defected to Reform - here's what Farage should do next to win

       49 Comments

       Nightmare for Starmer as McCluskey says trade unions will ditch Labour for Corbyn's party

       99 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Click Here

       Undo

       Reform's Lee Anderson says BBC's day of shame proves it's time to scrap the licence fee

       64 Comments

       Labour's mask slips as PMQs shows just how scared they are of Nigel Farage

       151 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Click Here

       Undo

       Nigel Farage fury as Donald Trump given major snub by Parliament for his UK state visit

       126 Comments

       Voting Reform UK is a trap - they've already caught the Westminster disease

       68 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Click Here

       Undo

       Lee Anderson loses it after Nigel Farage is heckled in PMQs madness

       436 Comments

       Angela Rayner delivers grim three-word verdict to Labour MPs after huge rebellion

       43 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Click Here

       Undo

       Nigel Farage blasts 'out of touch' MPs in scathing response to PMQs heckling

       84 Comments

       Labour haemorrhaging voters in blow to Keir Starmer as Nigel Farage boosted

       72 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Click Here

       Undo

       Remainer Peter Mandelson admits UK-US trade deal 'only possible' because of Brexit

       208 Comments

       More top Tories 'will defect to Reform' after Jake Berry joins Nigel Farage's team

       82 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Click Here

       Undo

       Poll: Farage beats Starmer hands down with voters but one key factor is his achilles heel

       519 Comments

       Moment Nigel Farage is drowned out by woke Remoaners in chaotic PMQs scenes

       1557 Comments

       MP Rupert Lowe cleared by Commons watchdog over ￡600,000 raised for grooming gang inquiry

       97 Comments

       James Cleverly blasts Nigel Farage's Reform UK as 'repository for disgruntled Tories'

       147 Comments

       EU insiders 'worried sick' over Farage's Reform tidal wave and 'plotting with Starmer'

       1436 Comments

       Keir Starmer to cosy up to Donald Trump on visit to president's Scottish golf course

       136 Comments

       ‘Absolute disgrace!' Moment MP explodes as Labour blocks Hillsborough Law

       69 Comments

       Huge blow to Liz Truss as Reform insider issues brutal verdict

       169 Comments

       Boris Johnson's friend defected to Reform - here's what Farage should do next to win

       49 Comments

       Nightmare for Starmer as McCluskey says trade unions will ditch Labour for Corbyn's party

       99 Comments

       Reform's Lee Anderson says BBC's day of shame proves it's time to scrap the licence fee

       64 Comments

       Labour's mask slips as PMQs shows just how scared they are of Nigel Farage

       151 Comments

       Nigel Farage fury as Donald Trump given major snub by Parliament for his UK state visit

       126 Comments

       Voting Reform UK is a trap - they've already caught the Westminster disease

       68 Comments

       Lee Anderson loses it after Nigel Farage is heckled in PMQs madness

       436 Comments

       READ MORE: MP Rupert Lowe cleared by Commons watchdog over grooming gang inquiry donations

       READ MORE: Ben Habib and Rupert Lowe both announce new Reform UK rivals on same day

       Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage (Image: Getty)

       He added: "It’s a hit job. Another hit job. I do not think it is a coincidence that this complaint has come just a few days before we are welcoming 40 rape gang survivors to Parliament."

       Posting on X on Monday, he added: "After the BBC's despicable behaviour towards our Rape Gang Inquiry this week, I have never been more convinced. We must defund the BBC.

       Powered By

       00:00/00:48

       10 Sec

       90.3K

       13

       Courtney Wright on school punishment for wearing Union Jack dress

       Next

       Stay

       "It is a rotten monopoly that needs to be torn apart. I don't think we'll have a problem asking Restore Britain members to ratify this one..."

       Sponsored

       Wolf & Shepherd | Sponsored Sponsored

       Shop Now

       The Business Sneaker Loved by CEOs and NFL Stars

       Undo

       The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Daniel Greenberg, concluded the MP had not breached rules. He explained that while some donations crossed the threshold requiring registration, the money was not accepted into the inquiry’s account until June 23, meaning Mr Lowe was still within the 28-day window to declare them.

       Mr Greenberg wrote: "Following a complaint from a member of the public that Mr Rupert Lowe MP had failed to register donations made to a crowdfunder organised by him in connection with his parliamentary activities, I opened a formal inquiry on 10 July 2025.

       "My inquiry sought to confirm whether these donations qualified as registrable interests and whether Mr Lowe had failed to register them within the 28-day window set by the House.

       “Mr Lowe provided evidence that a number of donations made to the crowdfunder did cross the threshold for registration but were not accepted until 23 June 2025.

       “As such, the 28-day window set by the House for the registration of those interests has not passed and no breach of the rules has occurred.”

       In response to the ruling, Mr Lowe doubled down on his criticism of the BBC. He said: "The BBC is a rotten monopoly and desperately needs ripping apart. No real journalist would take a clearly politically motivated leak of confidential information and run a hit job without putting a single line to the subject of the story. They’ve turned into little more than a mouthpiece for the regime."

       After the BBC's despicable behaviour towards our Rape Gang Inquiry this week, I have never been more convinced.

       We must defund the BBC.

       It is a rotten monopoly that needs to be torn apart.

       I don't think we'll have a problem asking Restore Britain members to ratify this one... pic.twitter.com/0jJHvviO5r

       — Rupert Lowe MP (@RupertLowe10) July 13, 2025

       Mr Lowe’s inquiry was launched before Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a government-backed inquiry into grooming gangs in June. The MP insists his investigation will continue independently, aiming to hold local councils, police forces, NHS trusts, and other bodies accountable.

       His crowdfunder inquiry’s social media page states it has submitted "hundreds and hundreds of FOI requests" to uncover vital information on grooming gangs, and he has promised to stream hearings online to ensure transparency.

       Next week, Mr Lowe plans to bring 40 survivors of grooming gangs to Parliament, inviting MPs to meet with them individually to hear their experiences. On X, he said: "Every MP will be invited to come and speak individually with survivors. Hear their stories, understand what actually happened — and what is still happening."

       The MP has faced turmoil within his former party, Reform UK, after he was suspended in March amid allegations of threatening the party chairman, Zia Yusuf. The Crown Prosecution Service later decided not to pursue charges related to those claims.

       Since then, Mr Lowe has accused Reform’s leadership of a "sinister" attempt to silence him through police action, branding party leader Nigel Farage a "coward and a viper".

       Shortly after his suspension, Mr Lowe launched his inquiry amid increasing calls from government critics for a national probe into grooming gangs. He has consistently criticised ministers for what he calls their failure to support victims, accusing the political establishment of cowardice.

       Despite the controversy, the inquiry has attracted significant public backing through crowdfunding, with over ￡600,000 raised so far to fuel investigations and legal work.

       A spokesperson for the inquiry confirmed that while donations passed the registration threshold, all were declared within the parliamentary deadline. They added: "Once the inquiry is complete, spending will be published in the interests of full transparency."

       The investigation’s work continues alongside the official government inquiry announced by the Prime Minister, but Mr Lowe has made clear he intends his private probe to be independent and unrelenting.

       With survivors set to speak in Westminster, Mr Lowe’s focus remains on exposing failures across institutions and pressing for justice.

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Boris Johnson's friend defected to Reform - here's what Farage should do next to win

       49 Comments

       Nightmare for Starmer as McCluskey says trade unions will ditch Labour for Corbyn's party

       99 Comments

       Reform's Lee Anderson says BBC's day of shame proves it's time to scrap the licence fee

       64 Comments

       Labour's mask slips as PMQs shows just how scared they are of Nigel Farage

       151 Comments

       Nigel Farage fury as Donald Trump given major snub by Parliament for his UK state visit

       126 Comments

       Voting Reform UK is a trap - they've already caught the Westminster disease

       68 Comments

       Lee Anderson loses it after Nigel Farage is heckled in PMQs madness

       436 Comments

       Angela Rayner delivers grim three-word verdict to Labour MPs after huge rebellion

       43 Comments

       Nigel Farage blasts 'out of touch' MPs in scathing response to PMQs heckling

       84 Comments

       Labour haemorrhaging voters in blow to Keir Starmer as Nigel Farage boosted

       72 Comments

       Remainer Peter Mandelson admits UK-US trade deal 'only possible' because of Brexit

       208 Comments

       More top Tories 'will defect to Reform' after Jake Berry joins Nigel Farage's team

       82 Comments

       Poll: Farage beats Starmer hands down with voters but one key factor is his achilles heel

       519 Comments

       Moment Nigel Farage is drowned out by woke Remoaners in chaotic PMQs scenes

       1557 Comments

       The Business Sneaker Loved by CEOs and NFL StarsWolf & Shepherd | Sponsored Sponsored

       Shop Now

       Undo

       MP Rupert Lowe cleared by Commons watchdog over ￡600,000 raised for grooming gang inquiry

       97 Comments

       James Cleverly blasts Nigel Farage's Reform UK as 'repository for disgruntled Tories'

       147 Comments

       Myeloma Programs in Las Vegas Include Monitoring PlansMyeloma Treatments | search ads | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       EU insiders 'worried sick' over Farage's Reform tidal wave and 'plotting with Starmer'

       1436 Comments

       Keir Starmer to cosy up to Donald Trump on visit to president's Scottish golf course

       136 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Click Here

       Undo

       ‘Absolute disgrace!' Moment MP explodes as Labour blocks Hillsborough Law

       69 Comments

       Huge blow to Liz Truss as Reform insider issues brutal verdict

       169 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do you do it?greeneatsonly | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Boris Johnson's friend defected to Reform - here's what Farage should do next to win

       49 Comments

       Nightmare for Starmer as McCluskey says trade unions will ditch Labour for Corbyn's party

       99 Comments

       Early Signs of Dementia Seniors are Missing (Watch out for this)greeneatsonly | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Reform's Lee Anderson says BBC's day of shame proves it's time to scrap the licence fee

       64 Comments

       Labour's mask slips as PMQs shows just how scared they are of Nigel Farage

       151 Comments

       Experts Link This Common Food to Memory Loss and Dementia (See story)Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Nigel Farage fury as Donald Trump given major snub by Parliament for his UK state visit

       126 Comments

       Voting Reform UK is a trap - they've already caught the Westminster disease

       68 Comments

       High Speed Internet for Seniors at low rates worth switchingHigh-Speed Wi-Fi Internet Deal | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Lee Anderson loses it after Nigel Farage is heckled in PMQs madness

       436 Comments

       Angela Rayner delivers grim three-word verdict to Labour MPs after huge rebellion

       43 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Click Here

       Undo

       Nigel Farage blasts 'out of touch' MPs in scathing response to PMQs heckling

       84 Comments

       Labour haemorrhaging voters in blow to Keir Starmer as Nigel Farage boosted

       72 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do you do it?greeneatsonly | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Remainer Peter Mandelson admits UK-US trade deal 'only possible' because of Brexit

       208 Comments

       More top Tories 'will defect to Reform' after Jake Berry joins Nigel Farage's team

       82 Comments

       Experts Link This Common Food to Memory Loss and Dementia (See story)Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Poll: Farage beats Starmer hands down with voters but one key factor is his achilles heel

       519 Comments

       Moment Nigel Farage is drowned out by woke Remoaners in chaotic PMQs scenes

       1557 Comments

       MP Rupert Lowe cleared by Commons watchdog over ￡600,000 raised for grooming gang inquiry

       97 Comments

       James Cleverly blasts Nigel Farage's Reform UK as 'repository for disgruntled Tories'

       147 Comments

       EU insiders 'worried sick' over Farage's Reform tidal wave and 'plotting with Starmer'

       1436 Comments

       Keir Starmer to cosy up to Donald Trump on visit to president's Scottish golf course

       136 Comments

       ‘Absolute disgrace!' Moment MP explodes as Labour blocks Hillsborough Law

       69 Comments

       Huge blow to Liz Truss as Reform insider issues brutal verdict

       169 Comments

       Boris Johnson's friend defected to Reform - here's what Farage should do next to win

       49 Comments

       Nightmare for Starmer as McCluskey says trade unions will ditch Labour for Corbyn's party

       99 Comments

       Reform's Lee Anderson says BBC's day of shame proves it's time to scrap the licence fee

       64 Comments

       Labour's mask slips as PMQs shows just how scared they are of Nigel Farage

       151 Comments

       Nigel Farage fury as Donald Trump given major snub by Parliament for his UK state visit

       126 Comments

       Voting Reform UK is a trap - they've already caught the Westminster disease

       68 Comments

       Lee Anderson loses it after Nigel Farage is heckled in PMQs madness

       436 Comments

       Early Signs of Dementia Seniors are Missing...greeneatsonly

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Reques...Dexcom

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       High Speed Internet for Seniors at low rates...High-Speed Wi-Fi Internet Deal

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       The Business Sneaker Loved by CEOs and NFL...Wolf & Shepherd

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Yet his bitter dispute with the BBC highlights the fraught political and media environment surrounding the grooming gangs scandal, where accusations of leaks and political interference have fuelled tensions.

       Mr Lowe’s call to dismantle the BBC’s "rotten monopoly" underlines his belief that the broadcaster has abandoned impartial journalism, instead acting as an instrument for those seeking to derail his inquiry.

       Express.co.uk has contacted the BBC for comment.

       SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

       We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

       Read Next