Steerpike Steerpike

Corbyn changes mind on Lowe’s Lucy Connolly motion

(Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

Rupert Lowe may have left Nigel Farage’s Reform party, but he’s certainly keeping himself busy. Now the MP has tabled an early day motion calling for a review of sentencing practices to ensure non-violent social media offenders don’t get locked up – after the wife of a Tory councillor, Lucy Connolly, was imprisoned for posting a heated message about last summer’s riots on social media. In a rare display of cross-party collaboration between the right and left wings of the Commons, ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn startled onlookers by being the first politician to add his name to the motion’s list of signatories. But he withdrew his support just as fast, after Lowe took to Twitter to praise Jezza’s move. How odd…

Connolly was sentenced to 31 months imprisonment in October after posting on social media about the riots sparked by the horrific Southport murders. Taking to Twitter at the time, the wife of Northampton councillor Ray Connolly fumed:

Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f***ing hotels full of the b******s for all I care, while you’re at it take the treacherous government and politicians with them.

Britain’s best politics newsletters

You get two free articles each week when you sign up to The Spectator’s emails.

Already a subscriber? Log in

Steerpike
Written by
Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

Topics in this article

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in