Charity rowing crew mistaken for Channel migrants by Norfolk MP
Rupert Lowe, elected as a Reform UK MP but now sitting as an Independent, posted a picture on social media on Thursday night showing a boat near some wind turbines off the Norfolk coast.
He included the message: 'Dinghies coming into Great Yarmouth, RIGHT NOW.
'Authorities alerted, and I am urgently chasing. If these are illegal migrants, I will be using every tool at my disposal to ensure these individuals are deported.
'Enough is enough. Britain needs mass deportations. NOW.'
But the vessel pictured was in fact an ocean rowing boat crewed by ROW4MND, a team of four who are attempting to row from Land's End to John O'Groats to raise money for motor neurone disease (MND).
The crew – Matthew Parker, Mike Bates, Aaron Kneebone and Liz Wardley – said they had been contacted by the coastguard and asked if they could see a dinghy nearby.
Mr Bates, a former Royal Marine and British record holder for rowing across the Atlantic solo, told the PA news agency it soon became clear the coastguard was asking about his own boat.
'I looked to my right and there was maybe a dozen individuals stood on the shoreline staring at us,' he said.
After satisfying the coastguard that their boat was not carrying migrants, they continued, but several hours later were contacted again by the coastguard as the police had 'asked if they could send a lifeboat out to check who we were'.
Eventually, a friend forwarded Mr Lowe's post, which Mr Bates said provided 'a moment of light relief'.
He said: 'We found it hilarious. I've not been mistaken for a migrant before.
'The best comment was the one asking where the Royal Navy were when you need them. I'm a former Royal Marine, so the Royal Navy were on the boat.'
He added: 'But it was almost like a vigilante-style, people following us down the beach. They hadn't twigged that we were parallel to the shore for hours and not trying to land.'
The quartet set off from Land's End on July 25 and initially headed north into the Irish Sea before bad weather forced them to stop at Milford Haven in Wales.
They then decided to return to Land's End and start again, this time heading in the other direction, which Mr Bates said had been 'about us showing resolve and resilience and hope'.
The journey is the first of four challenges over four years, with the group aiming to row from John O'Groats to Land's End next year, from California to Hawaii in 2027 and New York to London in 2028, with a target of raising £57 million for MND research.
So far, they have raised £107,515 for the charity.
Mr Bates said: 'We're rowing for hope, we're rowing to find a cure, and hopefully we'll raise £57 million.
'We certainly will if MPs keep talking about us. Maybe Rupert will give us a donation.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
David Lammy to host JD Vance as US vice-president arrives for UK holiday
The Foreign Secretary is expected to host Mr Vance on Friday at Chevening, his official country retreat in Kent, as the vice-president begins a summer holiday with his family in the UK. They will discuss UK-US relations in a bilateral meeting before being joined by their families. The pair are said to have developed a warm friendship, bonding over their difficult childhoods and Christian faith. Mr Lammy is reported to have attended Mass at the vice-president's Washington residence during a visit in March, and now plans to repay the favour with the stay at Chevening. Built in the 17th century, Grade I-listed Chevening was previously the home of the earls of Stanhope, before it was gifted to the state in 1959. It has traditionally acted as the foreign secretary's country residence, but the prime minister can nominate any of his cabinet colleagues to use the house. Friday's meeting comes at a time of persistent global uncertainty, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggesting an expansion of his country's campaign in Gaza and Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly preparing to meet Donald Trump in the coming days. The US and UK have found themselves at odds on Gaza, with Sir Keir Starmer's pledge to recognise a Palestinian state if Israel does not agree to a ceasefire drawing criticism from Washington. On Ukraine, Mr Trump said on a visit to the UK last month that he would bring forward the deadline for Mr Putin to agree a ceasefire or face higher tariffs to Friday. But speaking in the White House on Thursday, the US president would not commit to taking action when the deadline expires, saying only that it was 'up to' Mr Putin. Kremlin officials claimed that a meeting between the US and Russian presidents had been agreed and could take place as early as next week, despite Moscow showing no sign of relenting in its attacks on Ukraine. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged Mr Lammy to use his meeting with Mr Vance to press for new American sanctions ahead of any meeting between the presidents. He said: 'We've been here before: Putin stalling and trying to curry favour with Trump through promises of a ceasefire – before rocking Ukraine with even more bombs. 'With his self-imposed deadline elapsing tomorrow, Trump needs to put his money where his mouth is and introduce the sanctions he promised on Russia. It would be a disaster if Trump lets himself be fooled by Putin again.' The vice-president and his family are also expected to visit Hampton Court Palace during their trip to the UK, the bulk of which will be spent in the Cotswolds.
South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
Charity rowing crew mistaken for Channel migrants by Norfolk MP
Rupert Lowe, elected as a Reform UK MP but now sitting as an Independent, posted a picture on social media on Thursday night showing a boat near some wind turbines off the Norfolk coast. He included the message: 'Dinghies coming into Great Yarmouth, RIGHT NOW. 'Authorities alerted, and I am urgently chasing. If these are illegal migrants, I will be using every tool at my disposal to ensure these individuals are deported. 'Enough is enough. Britain needs mass deportations. NOW.' Dinghies coming into Great Yarmouth, RIGHT NOW. Authorities alerted, and I am urgently chasing. If these are illegal migrants, I will be using every tool at my disposal to ensure these individuals are deported. Enough is enough. Britain needs mass deportations. NOW. — Rupert Lowe MP (@RupertLowe10) August 7, 2025 But the vessel pictured was in fact an ocean rowing boat crewed by ROW4MND, a team of four who are attempting to row from Land's End to John O'Groats to raise money for motor neurone disease (MND). The crew – Matthew Parker, Mike Bates, Aaron Kneebone and Liz Wardley – said they had been contacted by the coastguard and asked if they could see a dinghy nearby. Mr Bates, a former Royal Marine and British record holder for rowing across the Atlantic solo, told the PA news agency it soon became clear the coastguard was asking about his own boat. 'I looked to my right and there was maybe a dozen individuals stood on the shoreline staring at us,' he said. After satisfying the coastguard that their boat was not carrying migrants, they continued, but several hours later were contacted again by the coastguard as the police had 'asked if they could send a lifeboat out to check who we were'. Eventually, a friend forwarded Mr Lowe's post, which Mr Bates said provided 'a moment of light relief'. He said: 'We found it hilarious. I've not been mistaken for a migrant before. 'The best comment was the one asking where the Royal Navy were when you need them. I'm a former Royal Marine, so the Royal Navy were on the boat.' He added: 'But it was almost like a vigilante-style, people following us down the beach. They hadn't twigged that we were parallel to the shore for hours and not trying to land.' The quartet set off from Land's End on July 25 and initially headed north into the Irish Sea before bad weather forced them to stop at Milford Haven in Wales. They then decided to return to Land's End and start again, this time heading in the other direction, which Mr Bates said had been 'about us showing resolve and resilience and hope'. The journey is the first of four challenges over four years, with the group aiming to row from John O'Groats to Land's End next year, from California to Hawaii in 2027 and New York to London in 2028, with a target of raising £57 million for MND research. So far, they have raised £107,515 for the charity. Mr Bates said: 'We're rowing for hope, we're rowing to find a cure, and hopefully we'll raise £57 million. 'We certainly will if MPs keep talking about us. Maybe Rupert will give us a donation.'
Leader Live
an hour ago
- Leader Live
Charity rowing crew mistaken for Channel migrants by Norfolk MP
Rupert Lowe, elected as a Reform UK MP but now sitting as an Independent, posted a picture on social media on Thursday night showing a boat near some wind turbines off the Norfolk coast. He included the message: 'Dinghies coming into Great Yarmouth, RIGHT NOW. 'Authorities alerted, and I am urgently chasing. If these are illegal migrants, I will be using every tool at my disposal to ensure these individuals are deported. 'Enough is enough. Britain needs mass deportations. NOW.' Dinghies coming into Great Yarmouth, RIGHT NOW. Authorities alerted, and I am urgently chasing. If these are illegal migrants, I will be using every tool at my disposal to ensure these individuals are deported. Enough is enough. Britain needs mass deportations. NOW. — Rupert Lowe MP (@RupertLowe10) August 7, 2025 But the vessel pictured was in fact an ocean rowing boat crewed by ROW4MND, a team of four who are attempting to row from Land's End to John O'Groats to raise money for motor neurone disease (MND). The crew – Matthew Parker, Mike Bates, Aaron Kneebone and Liz Wardley – said they had been contacted by the coastguard and asked if they could see a dinghy nearby. Mr Bates, a former Royal Marine and British record holder for rowing across the Atlantic solo, told the PA news agency it soon became clear the coastguard was asking about his own boat. 'I looked to my right and there was maybe a dozen individuals stood on the shoreline staring at us,' he said. After satisfying the coastguard that their boat was not carrying migrants, they continued, but several hours later were contacted again by the coastguard as the police had 'asked if they could send a lifeboat out to check who we were'. Eventually, a friend forwarded Mr Lowe's post, which Mr Bates said provided 'a moment of light relief'. He said: 'We found it hilarious. I've not been mistaken for a migrant before. 'The best comment was the one asking where the Royal Navy were when you need them. I'm a former Royal Marine, so the Royal Navy were on the boat.' He added: 'But it was almost like a vigilante-style, people following us down the beach. They hadn't twigged that we were parallel to the shore for hours and not trying to land.' The quartet set off from Land's End on July 25 and initially headed north into the Irish Sea before bad weather forced them to stop at Milford Haven in Wales. They then decided to return to Land's End and start again, this time heading in the other direction, which Mr Bates said had been 'about us showing resolve and resilience and hope'. The journey is the first of four challenges over four years, with the group aiming to row from John O'Groats to Land's End next year, from California to Hawaii in 2027 and New York to London in 2028, with a target of raising £57 million for MND research. So far, they have raised £107,515 for the charity. Mr Bates said: 'We're rowing for hope, we're rowing to find a cure, and hopefully we'll raise £57 million. 'We certainly will if MPs keep talking about us. Maybe Rupert will give us a donation.'
