Rupert Lowe faces criticism for downplaying the Dunblane massacre, referring to it as 'one murder' during a podcast. Despite the outrage, he has not issued an apology.
London, United Kingdom Jul 12, 2026 ALN: Rupert Lowe has remained silent despite outrage at his dismissal of the Dunblane massacre as “one murder”.
The Restore Britain leader sparked fury after dismissing the March 1996 tragedy before complaining about his father’s shooting pistols being “taken away” as a result of the strict gun laws that were put in place as a consequence.
The MP for Great Yarmouth made the comments on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, a platform known for its wide-ranging discussions and controversial guests. Lowe's remarks have drawn significant attention, particularly in the context of ongoing debates about gun control and the cultural implications of such tragedies in the UK.
While Restore Britain issued a brief statement on Thursday, they refused to apologise for Lowe’s comments, and instead doubled down. This response has been met with additional backlash, as many feel that the party's stance reflects a broader insensitivity to the impact of gun violence and the historical context surrounding the Dunblane massacre.
In March 1996, the Dunblane massacre occurred when a gunman entered Dunblane Primary School in Scotland and opened fire, killing 16 children and one teacher before taking his own life. This event remains one of the most tragic in British history and has had lasting implications on gun legislation in the UK. Following the massacre, the government implemented strict gun control laws, including a ban on handguns, which were largely viewed as necessary measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
In the wake of Lowe's comments, Keith Brown, the SNP’s depute leader and the MSP for Dunblane, condemned them as “beyond despicable.” His reaction underscores the sensitivity surrounding the topic of gun violence in the UK, particularly in communities directly affected by such tragedies. Furthermore, Kenny Ross, who lost his five-year-old daughter Joanna in the massacre, expressed his outrage, stating, "Thirty years have passed and people forget what we had to go through and I wouldn't want anyone else to go through that. It's people like him that are very ignorant and selfish." This sentiment reflects the pain and trauma that still lingers in the community and highlights the need for respectful discourse surrounding such sensitive topics.
More than 24 hours after the initial backlash, Lowe has remained silent on the criticism directed at him on social media platforms, including Twitter/X, where he has been active in discussing various issues unrelated to the Dunblane comments. Instead, he has reposted several clips from his podcast appearance, discussing topics such as the BBC, Pakistan, and deporting “illegal immigrants.” Notably absent from his social media activity is any mention of the Dunblane massacre, which has led many to question his awareness of the sensitivities involved and the importance of addressing the backlash directly.
Additionally, Lowe posted a tribute to former Brexit Party MEP and former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe, who died aged 78. It later emerged that police had launched a murder probe into her death, with a 26-year-old man arrested. This development adds another layer of complexity to the situation surrounding Lowe, as it diverts public attention to a separate, yet equally tragic, event.
In a separate post, Lowe responded to Labour MP Afzal Khan, who reported him to parliamentary authorities over his comments about Sharia courts and Islam on the podcast. His statement read, “I will not be silenced by Muslim MPs over my criticism of Islamic practices that have no place in Britain,” which has garnered significant attention and views, further amplifying the controversy surrounding his public persona.
During his appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Lowe made a controversial statement regarding gun laws in the UK, saying, “They don’t want the public to have guns. As you probably know they banned handguns in the late 90s because there was a murder up in Dunblane.” When Rogan prompted him for clarification, asking, “One murder?” Lowe replied, “One murder.” This exchange has been particularly criticized for its apparent trivialization of the Dunblane massacre and the profound impact it had on the lives of many families and the community as a whole.
Restore Britain has stood by their leader’s comments, with a spokesperson stating, “Rupert was clearly referring to one incident.” This defense raises questions about the party's values and its approach to sensitive historical events, particularly those that have shaped public policy and societal attitudes towards gun control in the UK.
Lowe entered the UK parliament as a Reform MP before becoming an independent, and subsequently founded Restore Britain as a new political party. The party's platform includes a range of controversial policies, such as mass deportations, a ban on Halal and Kosher meat, an end to “every trace of DEI [diversity, equality, and inclusion] across all government departments,” a referendum on the death penalty, an inquiry into the safety of Covid vaccines, and to “quash all convictions for non-violent breaches of lockdown.” These positions have drawn both support and criticism, reflecting the divisive nature of contemporary British politics.
In a further attempt to distinguish himself from mainstream political narratives, Lowe described himself as a “pureblood” on Rogan’s podcast, indicating that he did not take the Covid-19 vaccine. This self-identification has become a point of contention among various political and social groups, particularly in the context of ongoing debates about public health and individual rights during the pandemic.
The fallout from Lowe's comments about Dunblane continues to unfold, with many calling for greater accountability and sensitivity from public figures, especially those in positions of political leadership. As debates around gun control, public safety, and historical tragedies persist, Lowe's remarks serve as a reminder of the delicate balance that must be maintained in discussions about such profound topics. The implications of his comments extend beyond personal accountability; they touch upon broader societal issues, including how we remember and honor the victims of tragedies, the responsibilities of public figures in shaping discourse, and the ongoing challenges of navigating complex political landscapes in a time of heightened sensitivity and division.
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