MP Mistakenly Labels Charity Rowers as Illegal Migrants

A Member of Parliament (MP) recently misidentified a charity rowing team as illegal immigrants while observing a boat off the coast of Norfolk. Rupert Lowe, known for his past associations with Nigel Farage and the Reform UK party, took to social media to express his intention to use “every tool at my disposal to ensure these individuals are deported.”

The incident unfolded when Lowe posted a photo of a vessel near the wind turbines by Great Yarmouth, stating, “Dinghies coming into Great Yarmouth, RIGHT NOW. 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. Enough is enough. Britain needs mass deportations. NOW,” according to the Mirror.

In reality, the boat was part of a charity initiative called ROW4MND, consisting of a group raising funds for motor neurone disease (MND). The team includes Mike Bates, a former Royal Marine, and three others: Matthew Parker, Aaron Kneebone, and Liz Wardley. Their mission is to row from Land’s End to John O’Groats, aiming to collect £57 million for MND research.

Bates found the mix-up amusing, recalling how they were approached by the coastguard after Lowe’s post. “I looked to my right and there was maybe a dozen individuals on the shoreline staring at us,” Bates explained. After clarifying with the coastguard that they were not involved in migrant transport, the team continued their journey.

The situation escalated when they were contacted again, this time by local police, who sought confirmation of their identity. Bates later received a screenshot of Lowe’s post from a friend and described the moment as “a light relief.” He remarked, “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.”

As the team continued their efforts, they encountered challenges, including adverse weather that forced them to seek shelter at Milford Haven in Wales. They later resumed their journey back to Land’s End and then set off again towards their destination. Bates characterised their challenge as “about us showing resolve and resilience and hope.”

The rowing initiative is just the beginning of a series of challenges planned over the next four years. The team plans to row from John O’Groats to Land’s End next year, followed by a journey from California to Hawaii in 2027, and a transatlantic crossing from New York to London in 2028. To date, they have raised £107,515 towards their ambitious goal.

After realising his error, Lowe tweeted a correction and stated his intention to donate £1,000 to the charity. “We’re rowing for hope, we’re rowing to find a cure, and hopefully we’ll raise £57 million,” Bates said, adding a humorous note about the attention their cause received. “Maybe Rupert will give us a donation.”

This incident highlights the importance of verifying information before making public statements, especially given the sensitive nature of immigration issues. The ROW4MND team remains committed to their cause, undeterred by the unexpected publicity.