Lowe blow

MP mistakes charity rowers for migrants

- BY DAVE BURKE and MIKEY SMITH

A BRITISH MP has been ridiculed after posting a picture of "illegal immigrants" in a boat - only to learn they were a charity rowing crew.

Rupert Lowe made the blunder after spotting the vessel close to shore. In his post he vowed to use "every tool at my disposal to ensure these individuals are deported".

Atlantic rower Mike Bates - one of a team of four raising cash for motor neurone disease research - branded the incident hilarious. He said the rowers spotted frantic activity on the beach, adding: "There was a blue light flashing, police cars and a dozen people with torches."