On July 9, 2026, Rupert Lowe, the leader of Restore Britain, faced criticism for referring to the Dunblane school shooting as "one murder" during his appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast. His comments have sparked outrage from victims' families and political figures alike, who argue that such a statement undermines the severity of the tragedy.
Context of the Dunblane School Shooting
The Dunblane Primary School shooting, which occurred on March 13, 1996, resulted in the deaths of 16 children and their teacher, Gwen Mayor. Gunman Thomas Hamilton entered the school gym and opened fire with four handguns, killing the children and injuring others in a matter of minutes. This event remains one of the deadliest mass shootings in British history.
Following the tragedy, the UK implemented strict gun control laws, significantly limiting private gun ownership. The Snowdrop Campaign, initiated by the bereaved families, played a pivotal role in advocating for these legislative changes, ensuring that such a horrific event would not be repeated.
Reactions to Lowe's Comments
Lowe's remarks during the podcast were met with swift condemnation. Kenny Ross, whose daughter Joanna was killed in the shooting, expressed his disbelief at Lowe's ignorance, stating, "They don’t realize how devastating it was. But now we have a safer society because there is no longer private gun ownership." He emphasized the necessity of remembering the pain caused by the tragedy and the importance of gun control.
Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr described Lowe's characterization of Dunblane as "astonishingly insensitive and profoundly disrespectful to the victims." He added, "To describe Dunblane as 'one murder' is not simply inaccurate – it diminishes one of the darkest days in Scotland's modern history." Kerr criticized Lowe for speaking casually about an event that continues to cause profound pain for many.
Lowe's Political Background and Future
Rupert Lowe founded Restore Britain after being suspended from Reform UK in March 2025 due to allegations of making threats against the party chairman, Zia Yusuf. While the Crown Prosecution Service later determined there was insufficient evidence for a conviction, Lowe's controversial remarks have raised questions about his political future.
Local MSP Keith Brown condemned Lowe's comments as "beyond despicable," reinforcing the notion that the shooting and its aftermath changed Scotland forever. He stated, "Sixteen children and a teacher were shot dead while 15 more children were wounded. Despite these hideous remarks from Rupert Lowe, the Snowdrop Campaign that followed ensured a ban on the private ownership of most handguns. That is the proud legacy of the bereaved families and the local community."
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by BBC Politics. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
