Former Southampton FC chairman and Brexit Party MEP candidate Rupert Lowe has ignited controversy after dismissing volunteers who rescue migrants in the English Channel as "virtue signallers". The remarks, made during a local council meeting in Great Yarmouth, have drawn sharp criticism from humanitarian groups and political opponents.
Lowe's Controversial Comments
Speaking at the meeting, Lowe questioned the motives of charity rowers who assist migrants attempting the perilous crossing. "These so-called do-gooders are just virtue signallers looking for social media clout," he stated. The former politician went on to suggest that such efforts encouraged more dangerous crossings.
Swift Backlash
Lowe's comments were quickly condemned by local charities and opposition councillors. A spokesperson for the Great Yarmouth Refugee Support Network called the remarks "deeply offensive to both volunteers and vulnerable people risking their lives". Labour councillor Emma Flaxman-Taylor described the comments as "a new low in the immigration debate".
Channel Rescue Efforts
Volunteer groups have become increasingly active along the East Anglian coast as migrant crossings have risen in recent years. Many operate small craft to monitor the Channel and assist those in distress, often working alongside the Coastguard and RNLI.
The controversy comes amid ongoing political debate about how to handle migrant crossings, with the government's Rwanda deportation scheme facing legal challenges and local authorities grappling with accommodation shortages.
