Rupert Lowe fails to temporarily block investigation by parliamentary watchdog
The High Court dismissed bid challenging the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme.
Independent MP Rupert Lowe's attempt to halt a parliamentary watchdog investigation against him has been rejected by the High Court.
The MP for Great Yarmouth in Norfolk challenged the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS), which investigates claims of inappropriate conduct against MPs.
The challenge follows the ICGS’s decision in July to examine a complaint submitted by an anonymous third party regarding Mr Lowe.
Seeking legal action, Mr Lowe requested an interim injunction to pause the investigation pending resolution of his High Court claim.
The ICGS opposed the temporary block, defending the broader legal challenge on grounds that court interference in this matter would intrude on parliamentary privilege.
On Tuesday, Mr Justice Chamberlain dismissed the injunction request, emphasizing strong public interest in allowing parliamentary processes to proceed.
In written submissions dated 17th February, Mr Lowe's legal representative, Christopher Newman, claimed procedural unfairness, perversity, and illegality within the ICGS processes.
Mr Newman argued that as Mr Lowe rises in political prominence, halting the watchdog temporarily would not harm it.
Sarah Hannett KC, representing the ICGS, countered by asserting Mr Lowe's accountability to the House’s standards and procedures.
She clarified that the court should not constitutionally oversee parliamentary matters.
A separate hearing scheduled for 17th March will determine if the court holds jurisdiction over the wider legal challenge.
Mr Justice Chamberlain’s ruling highlighted an overstated risk of harm to Mr Lowe if the investigation proceeds temporarily.
He noted that public findings by the ICGS before the March hearing are “very unlikely.”
He underlined the beneficiaries of the complaints system, including the public and constituents.
The judge remarked, “This public interest in the continued operation of the complaints process would be a weighty one in any case, and would be especially so if the claimant is, as Mr Newman says, becoming a major political force.”
Last June, MPs approved changes to strengthen the ICGS, including forming a permanent assurance board to scrutinize its director and performance.
This followed recommendations from former Hampshire Police chief constable Paul Kernaghan, urging mandatory training on Parliament’s code of conduct for MPs.
Previously a Reform UK MP, Mr Lowe was suspended in March amid claims of threats toward then-party chairman Zia Yusuf.
He denied the threats, and the Crown Prosecution Service chose not to pursue criminal charges against him.