Lawyers say probe into complaint against Norfolk MP could 'end his career' |
Submissions to the court on behalf of Rupert Lowe have claimed a probe into his alleged conduct by the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) is "procedurally unfair" and that it could lead to "unjust harm".
The Independent Great Yarmouth MP is asking the High Court to temporarily halt the investigation until a full court hearing about the issue can take place next month.
The details of the complaint remain unknown but it is understood it was made in July last year and likely will have come from either an MP, a former MP or a parliamentary staff member.
The hearing is taking place at the Royal Courts of Justice (Andrew Matthews/PA) (Image: Contributed)
The watchdog is responsible for investigating complaints relating to bullying, harassment and/or sexual misconduct within parliament.
In written submissions, Christopher Newman, representing Mr Lowe, said: “The substantive claim to judicial review alleges procedural unfairness in the processes of ICGS, as well as perversity and illegality.
“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."
Mr Lowe is asking the court to quash the decision to investigate him, which came following a complaint made to the ICGS by a third party who cannot be identified.
Rupert Lowe, MP for Great Yarmouth (Image: Rupert Lowe)
A full hearing of the challenge is due to be heard next month but this week, lawyers for Mr Lowe are asking the High Court to temporarily block the watchdog from investigating the complaint pending the outcome of the March hearing.
Mr Newman added: "There is 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.”
But lawyers for the ICGS said in written submissions that Mr Lowe is a sitting MP subject to the rules, procedures and standards of behaviour for members of the House of Commons.
Sarah Hannett KC, for the ICGS, said: "Most fundamentally, the claimant is answerable to the House about the allegations of misconduct made against him... They are not for the court.”
While the nature of the allegations against Mr Lowe are unclear, he has previously faced complaints about his conduct.
He was suspended from Reform after being accused of making threats of violence towards then-party chairman Zia Yusuf.
Mr Lowe denied the allegations and the Crown Prosecution Service said no criminal charges would be brought against him.
Having been booted out of Reform, Mr Lowe is now an independent, but he has recently announced his political movement, called Restore Britain, will become a new political party.
Mr Justice Chamberlain is due to give his decision on the matter on February 24.