Latest news with #RupertLowe
Middle East Eye
a day ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
British pro-Israel MP suggests Palestine Action activists should expect to be shot
British MP Rupert Lowe has suggested the Palestine Action activists who recently infiltrated a military base to spray-paint planes should have expected to be fired at. The independent parliamentarian said in a post on X on Thursday that "if you break into a military base with the intent to cause damage, you should expect to be shot," adding that "nobody of sound mind would disagree". The British government is set to ban the direct action group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation after activists broke into RAF Brize Norton, the largest airbase in Britain, last week and spray-painted two planes while on electric scooters. The activists then evaded security and escaped the base, which they said they targeted because flights leave there daily "for RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, a base used for military operations in Gaza and across the Middle East". Lowe was embroiled in an antisemitism scandal last month after a leaked recording showed him remarking on the size of a camera, saying: "In days gone by you'd call it a Jewish camera, but that would be politically incorrect. Because it's so small." New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The MP was previously a member of Nigel Farage's anti-immigration Reform party, but was suspended in March after calling Reform a "protest party led by the Messiah" and criticising Farage. Lowe has been vocally pro-Israel and said on 11 June in a Facebook post: "Getting rather fed up of MPs spending their time opining about Palestine rather than focusing on what's actually happening in the country they're supposed to represent." Israel's war on Gaza: Who are Palestine Action? Read More » In February, he said that "not a single Palestinian 'refugee' should be allowed to settle in the UK". Lowe has also called for bans on non-stun halal and kosher slaughter and face veils. Earlier this month, the MP revealed he asked his gamekeeper to shoot his 17-year-old dog in the back of the head at his estate in Gloucestershire. He said the dog, Cromwell, could no longer use his back legs and described his decision as "humane". He did not take the dog to a vet, he added, because dogs often panic when they visit a vet. Banning Palestine Action Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said she will bring legislation to proscribe the group Palestine Action before Parliament on 30 June. Several MPs, including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, have voiced opposition to the move, describing it as an attack on the right to protest. If passed, the legislation will designate the pro-Palestine group as a proscribed terrorist organisation, making it illegal not only to be a member of the group but also to show support for it. It would mark the first time a direct action group has been proscribed in the UK, placing Palestine Action on a par with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) under British law. Palestine Action have launched a fundraising campaign to challenge the ban.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
MPs' shock as former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe reveals he had pet labrador put down with a rifle
He has been no stranger to controversy since becoming a Reform MP last year – and now Rupert Lowe has sparked fury after having his pet labrador put down with a rifle. Colleagues were shocked after it emerged Mr Lowe – now sitting as an independent – asked his gamekeeper to shoot 17-year-old Cromwell in the back of the head at his Gloucestershire estate. The dog had been unwell and lost the use of his back legs. Mr Lowe said he took decisive action after realising Cromwell's suffering was extreme and that waiting overnight to take him to the vet would be 'cruel'. He made the admission openly to colleagues in Westminster, triggering fierce debate about whether it was a kind choice. A parliamentary source said: 'For weeks, it was going around the Commons like wildfire that Rupert had shot his dog. Colleagues were appalled and upset, with most thinking it was a cruel way to behave.' Some MPs see a town-versus-country element to this method of putting animals down. Those in rural areas, including landowners, are seen as being less sentimental. One MP said: 'It's an 'old money' thing to do. That may have been acceptable 100 years ago but it's not now.' Mr Lowe told The Mail on Sunday last night that he believes it is more humane to have a dog put down at home because animals can sense something is amiss at the vet and tend to panic. The Great Yarmouth MP said: 'My keeper shot our dog the other day. He was a labrador of 17. 'Dogs do go through ups and downs for a bit, but in the end Cromwell's back legs went and our keeper Kevin very kindly did the job. 'Cromwell didn't go anywhere, he wasn't away from home and he wouldn't have known anything about it. So much kinder. 'They are not driven to the vet, they don't smell the vet, it's just all over very quickly.' Mr Lowe said that while he gave the instruction to shoot Cromwell, he couldn't stomach doing it himself. He added: 'I would find it difficult, which is why my keeper did it. So you can call me a coward on that basis, if you want. 'I've got friends who can shoot their dogs. [They] just take them on a walk, put a shooting rifle at the back of their head and bang, done. 'They don't feel anything. I would have found it hard. He was 17 and had been with us that long. 'I would be proud to tell you it was me who did it, [but] I can't claim that credit.' Mr Lowe had Cromwell buried by his tennis court, with his previous pets, and raised a toast to him. Elizabeth Davenport, campaign manager at Animal Aid, said: 'It highlights a serious failing of animal protection in the UK. 'There is currently no legislation that protects dogs from this kind of 'at home' euthanasia – or indeed many other concerning practices. 'Legislation that does exist, such as the Animal Welfare Act 2006, only protects animals from 'unnecessary' harm but allows individuals – who may have no prior knowledge or experience of animal health and welfare – to decide what is or is not necessary.' In December, Reform Chief Whip Lee Anderson posted on social media about having his West Highland terrier Alfie, also 17, put down by a vet. Mr Anderson wrote: 'This morning Alfie went to sleep for the last time. All his pain has gone. He has left a massive hole.' Meanwhile, US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem's chances of being Donald Trump's vice-presidential running mate evaporated last year after she wrote about shooting dead her 14-month-old wirehair pointer Cricket, who she deemed 'untrainable', and a troublesome goat. FOR: Going to the vet is so distressing for them by Jamie Blackett Putting an animal to sleep is not as easy as the euphemism sounds. My dog Pippin can smell a vet at 50 paces, so going to the surgery is a rather distressing ordeal. Once there, a vet has to shave a patch of fur on the scruff before finding a vein to slide the needle into. While a dog doesn't understand euthanasia, it can sense something nasty coming – even if the vet carries out the procedure at home. I've been through this a number of times with past dogs and, though I have never been able to bring myself to shoot one, I suspect it would be much kinder. I've certainly shot dozens of cattle over the years, as I run a farm in Dumfriesshire. If one is beyond help, the vet shakes her head and says: 'Will you deal with it?' So, as the cow has its head in delicious cattle cake feed, I take aim and she is gone before she even hears the shot. Similarly, Rupert Lowe's dog will have woken up in the happy hunting ground in the sky without knowing anything. What is wrong with that? We owe it to our animals to make their end as quick and painless as possible. Jamie is the author of Land Of Milk And Honey: Digressions Of A Rural Dissident AGAINST: What if one bullet wasn't enough? by Beverley Cuddy For many people, dogs are cherished as members of the family, which is why they deserve the same dignity at the end of their lives as our two-legged relatives. After all, we often love them even more. In the 35 years I've been editing Dogs Today magazine and campaigning for higher animal welfare standards, I've seen dogs' quality of life improve dramatically. But, equally, we must ensure the quality of their death is never scrimped on. My dogs have all had planned and idyllic endings. Take my bearded collie, Sally. She chewed on the best steak and some very crispy bacon while I cradled her in my arms and told her what a perfect dog she'd been as our vet expertly sent her on her next adventure. Even Oscar, my latest dog to pass – who had an emergency mercy killing at a late-night veterinary chain – was given a gentle death. I could never have my dogs shot, however infirm. For one, it prevents you from comforting them in their last moments. And what if one shot wasn't enough? What if your last memory of them was of cleaning up the splatter from a violent, messy death? Much better to be nightmare-free.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
MPs' shock as former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe reveals he had pet labrador put down with a shotgun
He has been no stranger to controversy since becoming a Reform MP last year – and now Rupert Lowe has sparked fury after having his pet labrador put down with a shotgun. Colleagues were shocked after it emerged Mr Lowe – now sitting as an independent – asked his gamekeeper to shoot 17-year-old Cromwell in the back of the head at his Gloucestershire estate. The dog had been unwell and lost the use of his back legs. Mr Lowe said he took decisive action after realising Cromwell's suffering was extreme and that waiting overnight to take him to the vet would be 'cruel'. He made the admission openly to colleagues in Westminster, triggering fierce debate about whether it was a kind choice. A parliamentary source said: 'For weeks, it was going around the Commons like wildfire that Rupert had shot his dog. Colleagues were appalled and upset, with most thinking it was a cruel way to behave.' Some MPs see a town-versus-country element to this method of putting animals down. Those in rural areas, including landowners, are seen as being less sentimental. One MP said: 'It's an 'old money' thing to do. That may have been acceptable 100 years ago but it's not now.' Mr Lowe told The Mail on Sunday last night that he believes it is more humane to have a dog put down at home because animals can sense something is amiss at the vet and tend to panic. The Great Yarmouth MP said: 'My keeper shot our dog the other day. He was a labrador of 17. 'Dogs do go through ups and downs for a bit, but in the end Cromwell's back legs went and our keeper Kevin very kindly did the job. 'Cromwell didn't go anywhere, he wasn't away from home and he wouldn't have known anything about it. So much kinder. 'They are not driven to the vet, they don't smell the vet, it's just all over very quickly.' Mr Lowe said that while he gave the instruction to shoot Cromwell, he couldn't stomach doing it himself. He added: 'I would find it difficult, which is why my keeper did it. So you can call me a coward on that basis, if you want. 'I've got friends who can shoot their dogs. [They] just take them on a walk, put a shooting rifle at the back of their head and bang, done. 'They don't feel anything. I would have found it hard. He was 17 and had been with us that long. 'I would be proud to tell you it was me who did it, [but] I can't claim that credit.' Mr Lowe had Cromwell buried by his tennis court, with his previous pets, and raised a toast to him. Elizabeth Davenport, campaign manager at Animal Aid, said: 'It highlights a serious failing of animal protection in the UK. 'There is currently no legislation that protects dogs from this kind of 'at home' euthanasia – or indeed many other concerning practices. 'Legislation that does exist, such as the Animal Welfare Act 2006, only protects animals from 'unnecessary' harm but allows individuals – who may have no prior knowledge or experience of animal health and welfare – to decide what is or is not necessary.' In December, Reform Chief Whip Lee Anderson posted on social media about having his West Highland terrier Alfie, also 17, put down by a vet. Mr Anderson wrote: 'This morning Alfie went to sleep for the last time. All his pain has gone. He has left a massive hole.' Meanwhile, US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem's chances of being Donald Trump's vice-presidential running mate evaporated last year after she wrote about shooting dead her 14-month-old wirehair pointer Cricket, who she deemed 'untrainable', and a troublesome goat. FOR: Going to the vet is so distressing for them by Jamie Blackett Putting an animal to sleep is not as easy as the euphemism sounds. My dog Pippin can smell a vet at 50 paces, so going to the surgery is a rather distressing ordeal. Once there, a vet has to shave a patch of fur on the scruff before finding a vein to slide the needle into. While a dog doesn't understand euthanasia, it can sense something nasty coming – even if the vet carries out the procedure at home. I've been through this a number of times with past dogs and, though I have never been able to bring myself to shoot one, I suspect it would be much kinder. I've certainly shot dozens of cattle over the years, as I run a farm in Dumfriesshire. If one is beyond help, the vet shakes her head and says: 'Will you deal with it?' So, as the cow has its head in delicious cattle cake feed, I take aim and she is gone before she even hears the shot. Similarly, Rupert Lowe's dog will have woken up in the happy hunting ground in the sky without knowing anything. What is wrong with that? We owe it to our animals to make their end as quick and painless as possible. Jamie is the author of Land Of Milk And Honey: Digressions Of A Rural Dissident AGAINST: What if one bullet wasn't enough? by Beverley Cuddy For many people, dogs are cherished as members of the family, which is why they deserve the same dignity at the end of their lives as our two-legged relatives. After all, we often love them even more. In the 35 years I've been editing Dogs Today magazine and campaigning for higher animal welfare standards, I've seen dogs' quality of life improve dramatically. But, equally, we must ensure the quality of their death is never scrimped on. My dogs have all had planned and idyllic endings. Take my bearded collie, Sally. She chewed on the best steak and some very crispy bacon while I cradled her in my arms and told her what a perfect dog she'd been as our vet expertly sent her on her next adventure. Even Oscar, my latest dog to pass – who had an emergency mercy killing at a late-night veterinary chain – was given a gentle death. I could never have my dogs shot, however infirm. For one, it prevents you from comforting them in their last moments. And what if one shot wasn't enough? What if your last memory of them was of cleaning up the splatter from a violent, messy death? Much better to be nightmare-free.
BBC News
7 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Petition questioning jail sentences for online posts hits target
A petition calling for an urgent review of sentencing after a woman was jailed for a racist social media post has hit its target of 100,000 signatures in under 24 Connolly, from Northampton, was jailed for 31 months in October after urging her followers on X to "set fire" to hotels housing asylum seekers on the day of the Southport UK MP Rupert Lowe's online petition said prison terms for cases of "opinion-based online speech" caused "serious public concern" and alternative sanctions would be more appeal was rejected in May, with the Court of Appeal ruling there was "no arguable basis" that her prison sentence was excessive. The 41-year-old childminder, the wife of a Conservative councillor, posted the swearword-ridden message on 29 July 2024, the day three girls were murdered at a dance class in calling for "mass deportations now", she wrote: "If that makes me racist, so be it."She urged readers to set fire to "all the hotels" that were "full" of those she wished to post had been deleted before Connolly was arrested on 6 August but had already been viewed 310,000 who represents Great Yarmouth as an Independent, said the jailing of Connolly was "morally repugnant" and his petition had the full support of her husband, Ray."Lucy, and others like her, should not be in prison for foolish things they posted on the internet," said Lowe in a post on X."It's all just so disgusting, and if I can use my elected position to do anything, it has to be worth a go." The petition says imprisoning individuals for posts on social media "sets a dangerous precedent and raises wider questions about freedom of expression, proportionality in sentencing, and the misuse of limited prison resources."The day after Connolly's appeal was rejected, Sir Keir Starmer said he was in favour of free speech and against inciting violence after Lowe used Prime Minister's Questions to ask if her jail term was an "efficient or fair" use of prison.A UK Government and Parliament petition that attains 100,000 signatures is assessed by the Petitions Committee for its level of support and whether the government could act on its demands. If approved for consideration, it is then debated in Westminster Hall. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
20-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
How will Norfolk's MPs vote on assisted dying?
MPs in Norfolk are split on whether to change the law on assisted dying, with two reversing their previous a bill on the proposed change will receive what is known as its third reading – where MPs will decide to either throw it out or pass it on to the House of Freeman and Rupert Lowe, who voted in favour last year, said they were now against the law of Norfolk's other MPs told the BBC they remained supportive, two were still against, whilst another was undecided. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would allow adults with less than six months to live to receive medical assistance to November last year it passed its first major vote in the Commons, backed with a majority of 55 MPs from a range of then, a number of members have changed their minds. Those include Mid-Norfolk Conservative Freeman, who said he was unhappy a requirement for a High Court judge to approve assisted dying applications was removed from the said he still "supported the aims of the bill", but felt more time should be used to consider it."The sanctity of life and the ethical responsibilities we hold as lawmakers demand a much more cautious approach," he Yarmouth's Independent MP Lowe said his view had changed for similar previous vote in favour had come after asking constituents to take part in an online said he was now "frankly disgusted" the proposed law change had not received "a proper debate and consultation". Norwich North's Labour MP Alice MacDonald and North West Norfolk Conservative James Wild both said they planned to continue supporting the did Waveney Valley's Green, Adrian Ramsay, although he said he was "still listening" to the wider Clive Lewis, the Norwich South MP, said he expected to vote in favour but would "make a final decision based on all the amendments".And North Norfolk Liberal Democrat Steff Aquarone said he firmly believed "people with just a few months left to live should have the right to decide how, when and where they die". Conservative Jerome Mayhew – who represents Fakenham and Broadland – voted against the bill in November and plans to do the same South Norfolk MP Ben Goldsborough also remains said it was unclear if the NHS would be funded to provide assisted dying, alongside concerns that a growing number of people are struggling to access palliative care."We risk creating a system where the most vulnerable feel pressured to choose it, not because it's what they want, but because it's what's available."South West Norfolk's Labour MP Terry Jermy – who previously backed the bill – said he had yet to decide how he would vote. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
