Multi-millionaire Rupert Lowe caught the attention of former Nigel Farage fanboy Elon Musk for his hardline anti-immigration and pro-Tommy Robinson posts on social media
Elon Musk and Nigel Farage’s love affair came to an abrupt end when the tech mogul called for the Reform leader to be replaced, saying he “doesn’t have what it takes”. The pair had been cosying up amid speculation Musk could donate tens of millions of pounds to Farage’s party.
Trouble in paradise started when Farage refused to back Musk’s call to free Tommy Robinson from prison, where he is serving an 18-month sentence after admitting to repeating false accusations about a Syrian refugee. The Twitter/X owner suggested hardline far-right MP Rupert Lowe should take the helm of Reform.
Musk wrote on X: “I have not met Rupert Lowe, but his statements online that I have read so far make a lot of sense.” The Tesla owner’s affection appears to have blossomed after Lowe praised Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, on Sunday, before adding he was “not right” for Reform.
1. Climate change denial
The relatively unknown MP for Great Yarmouth started his political life as a failed candidate for the Eurosceptic Referendum in the 1997 general election when he was a year into his tenure as chairman of Southampton FC. Two decades later he won a seat in the European Parliament for the Brexit Party in 2019.
During his time in Brussels, he dubbed climate change a “cult” just after the devastating 2019-2020 Australian bushfires. He said at the time: “The cult of climate change marches on with no definitive evidence to support or deny the factual accuracy of their assertions.
“It’s disappointing that climate change has been blamed as the primary cause of these devastating bushfires by both our Parliament and other so-called climate experts.
“Logic suggests that climate change has little to do with this natural catastrophe.” Lowe holds a hardline view on immigration and recently claimed that “open borders “put British women in danger”.
2. Hardline immigration views
Lowe is also known for his hardline views on immigration. He wrote last week: “We must stop harbouring foreign nationals who viscerally hate Britain, who commit serious crimes, who rape our children.
“If that means being insulted as ‘racist’? Then so be it, the word has lost all real meaning. It should be in no way controversial to deport these people.”
In relation to Musk’s intervention into UK politics on grooming gangs, he posted: “Musk is not the story. The thousands and thousands of vulnerable white working class girls mass raped by Pakistani men are the story.”
On Saturday he wrote: “There should be no doubt that multiculturalism has failed Britain. If foreign nationals want to live in our country – they need to live by our laws, speak our language, and integrate into our society. The days of tolerating the intolerable in the name of diversity are over.”
3. Southampton FC chairman
The 67-year-old MP was also a controversial chairman of Southampton FC. He served from 1996 to 2006 and then again from 2008 to 2009. He left the club when its holding company went into administration at the end of his second stint.
Lowe saw eight different managers come and go through the club during his tenure. He stood down in 2006 after Southampton was relegated when they were eyeing up a promotion to the Premier League.
Describing the abuse he received from fans, he told The Guardian: “Understandably, having thousands of people chanting such offensive language is not a pleasant position to be in, but we live in a country with free speech and we must respect that. It did put pressure on my health, I won’t deny it.”
4. Reform leader?
Mr Lowe made it clear he would not challenge Farage for leadership of Reform. He said: “I thank Elon for his kind comments. I just want to do what is right for my constituency and my country – that is my only interest.”
He went on: “Nigel is leader of Reform. He made Brexit happen, and for that I will always be grateful. I look forward to working with Nigel and the entire team to continue to hold this incompetent Labour Party to account, democratise our own party, win the next election and form a Reform Government.”
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