MP Lowe asks High Court to block watchdog investigation

8 hours ago 2

Owen SennittLocal Democracy reporter

BBC Rupert Lowe looks to the left of the camera as he is photographed outside. He has grey hair, which is blowing in the wind, and is wearing a grey jacket, shirt and tie.

Lawyers representing an MP have asked the High Court to block a watchdog from investigating a complaint against him.

Submissions to the court on behalf of Rupert Lowe, the independent MP for Great Yarmouth, claimed a probe into his conduct by the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) was "procedurally unfair" and that it could lead to "unjust harm".

The ICGS is responsible for investigating complaints related to bullying, harassment and/or sexual misconduct within Parliament.

The complaint, which was made by a third party who cannot be identified, is understood to have been made in July 2025 but further details remain unknown.

In written submissions, Christopher Newman, who is representing Lowe, said the "substantive claim to judicial review alleges procedural unfairness in the processes of ICGS, as well as perversity and illegality", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"The scope for unjust harm arising from an adjudicative process, in this case one which has the potential to end the career of a member of parliament, being infected by bias is very significant," he added.

A full hearing of the challenge is due to be heard in March.

Getty Images A photograph of the Royal Courts of Justice against a sunny, clear-blue sky. It is a large grey stone building in the Victorian gothic revival style. A number of people are gathered outside its entrance, and a black taxi cab is driving on the road in front of the building.

Lawyers for Lowe have asked the High Court to temporarily block the watchdog from investigating the complaint, pending the outcome of next month's hearing.

Newman told the court there was "already troubling evidence of corruption of process unfairly affecting Mr Lowe".

"There is a powerful inference that [the complainant] leaked information to Reform UK, which led to Reform UK starting its own fact-finding process," Newman said.

Sarah Hannett KC, who is representing the ICGS, said in written submissions that Lowe was a sitting MP and subject to the rules, procedures and standards of behaviour for members of the House of Commons.

"Most fundamentally, the claimant is answerable to the House [of Commons] about the allegations of misconduct made against him… they are not for the court," said Hannett.

Mr Justice Chamberlain is due to give his decision on the matter on 24 February.

Read Entire Article