Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe is seeking to challenge the decision by the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS) to conduct a probe into his conduct.

It relates to a claim made against him last July.

The hearing is taking place at the Royal Courts of Justice (Andrew Matthews/PA) (Image: Contributed)

Mr Lowe wants the courts to quash the decision to investigate him following the complaint by a third party who cannot be identified.

The ICGS investigates complaints related to bullying, harassment and/or sexual misconduct which are made by MPs, former MPs or members of parliamentary staff.

A hearing has been scheduled for March 17 to decide whether the High Court can hear Mr Lowe’s case, with the ICGS arguing the court does not have the power to do so.

Mr Justice Chamberlain, the judge overseeing the challenge, said a separate hearing will be held next Tuesday to decide whether the ICGS should be temporarily blocked from investigating the complaint, pending the outcome of the March hearing.

He said: “The defendant submits that the investigation relates to the internal processes of the House of Commons, that such processes fall within the exclusive cognisance of the House of Commons and, therefore, that the court has no jurisdiction to consider the claim.

“The court fixed a hearing on March 17, 2026, to determine as a preliminary issue whether it has jurisdiction to consider the claim.

“The claimant subsequently sought interim relief to prevent the defendant from taking steps to investigate the complaint against him before the court has determined the preliminary issue.”

Rupert Lowe, independent MP for Great Yarmouth (Image: Rupert Lowe)

In a separate order issued in December, Mr Justice Chamberlain said there was “a strong public interest in a prompt and authoritative determination” of whether the court had the power to hear the claim.

No details of the complaint against Mr Lowe were given.

The ICGS is responsible for investigating complaints of inappropriate behaviour against MPs.

This new complaint follows a tumultuous 12 months for the businessman following his election in July 2024.

He was elected as a Reform MP but he was ousted from the party in March last year amid claims he had threatened then-party chairman Zia Yusuf.

Complaints were also made about the behaviour of his office staff.

Mr Lowe and his team have denied any wrongdoing and the Crown Prosecution Service said no criminal charges would be brought against him in relation to alleged threats towards Mr Yusuf.

He was also subject to an investigation by the Parliamentary Standards Commission.

It related to whether he had registered money raised in donations via a crowdfunder for his independent “Rape Gang Inquiry” before a deadline to do so.

However, the commissioner was quick to drop the investigation and dismissed the complaint after Mr Lowe provided evidence that the deadline had not passed.