In March 2026, MP Rupert Lowe (now representing his own Restore Britain party) launched a sharp critique of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) during a Public Accounts Committee meeting.

 

In March 2026, MP Rupert Lowe (now representing his own Restore Britain party) launched a sharp critique of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) during a Public Accounts Committee meeting. His "devastating takedown" focused on what he described as a culture of "internal inconsistencies" and a failure to properly address widespread fraud within the department.

 

Key points of his criticism included:

• Systemic Fraud: Lowe highlighted cases such as an ex-corporal who defrauded the MoD of over £911,000 through fake expense claims and an army financial administrator who stole more than £300,000 by issuing checks to himself.
• Cultural Failure: He argued that there is a fundamental "cultural problem" where counter-fraud and police teams do not trust or work together effectively.
• Lack of Accountability: Lowe expressed frustration with a system that relies on "risk registers" and "analytical tools" rather than ensuring that those who steal face genuine consequences, stating that "people have got to fear... that when they steal they go to prison".
• Asset Management: He specifically called out the "financial risk" posed by the loss of equipment like laptops and phones, characterizing the department's reluctance to engage on these issues as a sign of deeper dysfunction.
• The exchange gained significant attention on social media and through outlets like the Daily Express, where it was framed as a scathing indictment of civil service mismanagement.