Rupert Lowe MP -v- The Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme

Administrative CourtHigh CourtKing's Bench DivisionAnonymity OrderOrderTransmission Direction Order

Case number: AC-2025-LON-003806

In the High Court of Justice
King’s Bench Division
Administrative Court

9 February 2026

Before:

The Hon Mr Justice Chamberlain

Between:

The King on the application of
Rupert Lowe MP

-v-

The Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme

and

MIC
(Interested party)

Order

Of the Court’s own motion;

Following consideration of: (i) the Order of Mr Justice Chamberlain of 2 February 2026, fixing an interim relief hearing on 17 February 2026, with a time estimate of 1 day; and (ii) the claimant’s email dated 6 February 2026 indicating his view that substantial numbers may wish to observe the hearing;

ORDER BY THE HON. MR JUSTICE CHAMBERLAIN

  1. Any request for a direction under s. 85A(3)(b) of the Courts Act 2003 (“a transmission direction request”) by a person not taking part in the proceedings (“an applicant”) for permission to observe the proceedings remotely must be made by 12 noon on Monday 16 February 2026.
  2. Any transmission direction request should be sent by email to the following address:
    administrativecourtoffice.listoffice@justice.gov.uk and must include the following:
    (a) the full name of the applicant;
    (b) the email address of the applicant;
    (c) whether the applicant will be located within the jurisdiction of England and Wales at all times when attending the proceedings remotely (if a transmission direction were to be made); and, if not, details of the applicant’s location;
    (d) any information the applicant wishes to provide in support of the request, including in particular any reason(s) why it is contended that making such a direction would be in the interests of justice; and
    (e) a statement by the applicant in the following terms:
    “If permitted to attend the hearing remotely, I understand that I must not record or transmit what I see and hear. I understand that it is an offence and may be a contempt of court to do so, and that I may be punished if I were to do so.”
  3. Unless exceptionally the Court otherwise directs, a transmission direction request made otherwise than in accordance with this Order will not be granted.

NB: The Court has made an order prohibiting publication of the identity of the interested party or of any matter likely to lead to the identification of the interested party in any report of, or otherwise in connection with, these proceedings: see paragraph 1(b) of the Order of Mr Justice Chamberlain, as amended on 22 December 2025. Breach of this Order may constitute a contempt of court.

Reasons

(1) The claimant is an independent Member of the UK Parliament. The defendant, the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme, investigates complaints against Members of Parliament. The interested party made a complaint about the claimant to the defendant.
(2) By this claim, the claimant challenges a decision of the defendant which he says was taken on 23 July 2025 “to commence a formal investigation into him” in respect of the interested party’s complaint. He seeks an order quashing that decision.
(3) 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.
(4) The Court fixed a hearing on 17 March 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.
(5) The hearing on 17 February 2026 has been fixed to consider the claimant’s application for interim relief. The time estimate is 1 day.
(6) This case may attract media attention. This Order is made to ensure that any transmission direction requests are made in a timely manner, to ensure that they are accompanied by the necessary information and to enable them to be considered and determined prior to the hearing.