𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Comedy legend John Cleese has expressed his support for Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe. The Monty Python actor has been vocal on his political views for decades but has recently leaned to the right over concerns about immigration, free speech and Islamic fundamentalism.

Responding to a post on X calling for people to share the first word that comes to mind above a picture of Mr Lowe, Mr Cleese responded: “I trust this man more than any of the other leaders.”

Mr Lowe responded: “John Cleese is a patriot. His support for our rape-gang inquiry is appreciated.”

His comment was met with a mixed response online, with some expressing their pleasure and others sharing their frustration at his support for a party that has pledged to carry out mass deportations if it takes power.

Tony Blair’s former Director of Communications and host of the Rest is Politics podcast Alastair Campbell responded: “In which case you have totally lost the plot.”

Mr Cleese previously described his political standing as “lightly Left of centre” and appeared in party political broadcasts for the Liberal Democrats in the 1990s.

He turned down a peerage from Paddy Ashdown, the former leader of the party in 1999.

In recent years, the Fawlty Towers star has become outspoken on political issues, expressing support for the UK Independence Party in 2014.

In an interview with The Telegraph in 2014, Mr Cleese said that he was “all for immigration” but expressed concern about “people who come here who really don’t like our culture”.

Mr Cleese has also been vocal on the issue of grooming gangs, criticising the BBC’s coverage of a crowdfunding campaign spearheaded by Mr Lowe earlier this year.

Restore Britain was formed by Mr Lowe following his exit from Reform UK and his public falling out with leader Nigel Farage.

It claims on its website that “mass immigration, economic collapse, woke ideology, and the relentless creep of radical Islam,” are responsible for the “decline” of Britain.

The party has a handful of councillors across the country but has thus far struggled in national elections.

However, its campaign in the Makerfield by-election was criticised by Mr Farage for splitting the vote on the right and making it easier for Prime Minister Andy Burnham to win his seat and ultimately the Labour leadership.