Claim: Rupert Lowe Posted a Tweet Calling for a Ban on Teaching Sign Language
Summary of the Claim
In February 2025, an image circulated on social media appearing to show Rupert Lowe posting on X (formerly Twitter) that Reform UK would challenge Angela Rayner to remove the teaching of sign language in the UK because “it doesn’t involve speaking English.” The screenshot went viral across X, Facebook, Instagram and Threads, with many users believing it to be genuine.
This fact-check investigates whether Rupert Lowe ever posted this message and how the screenshot originated.
Where the Claim Was Made
The image claimed to be a screenshot of a post from Lowe’s verified X account. It displayed his profile picture, username and a message attacking sign language teaching.
However, fact-checkers quickly began investigating the image after users pointed out inconsistencies and questioned its authenticity. The fake was later traced back to a satirical social media account.
Verdict: ❌ False
Rupert Lowe did not post any message calling for a ban on teaching sign language. The screenshot was fabricated as satire and later spread widely without context, misleading thousands of users.
Evidence and Analysis
1. No record of the tweet on Lowe’s account
Fact-checkers reviewing Lowe’s X feed found no evidence that this message had ever been posted. There was no deleted-tweet record, no archived version, and no timestamp alignment with the alleged screenshot.
Lowe’s posting history includes comments about translation services for foreign languages, which may have made the fake screenshot appear superficially plausible. However, none of those comments referenced sign language.
2. The image originated from a satirical creator
The screenshot was traced to a satirical account known for creating parody images of political statements. The creator publicly confirmed that the image was a joke and had never been posted by Lowe. The original post included context indicating humour, but this context was removed when the image was reshared by others.
Once detached from its satirical source, the screenshot appeared to be an authentic political statement.
3. Major fact-checkers confirmed it was fake
Independent fact-checking organisations assessed the image and concluded that:
• the screenshot was fabricated
• the text had never appeared on Lowe’s account
• the creator had acknowledged it was satire
• the image spread after being reuploaded by users who did not disclose its origin
Their reports emphasised that the claim was entirely false and that Lowe had never argued for the removal of sign language teaching.
4. Lowe’s response to the claim
When approached for comment, Rupert Lowe confirmed he had not posted the message. He stated that he had criticised translation policies for foreign languages but that this did not extend to sign language. His clarification aligned with the findings of fact-checkers.
5. Why the claim spread easily
Fabricated political screenshots often spread rapidly because they resemble real social media posts. Many users do not check the source before sharing, especially if the content fits pre-existing expectations or assumptions.
In this case, the image matched a wider narrative circulating about divisive political rhetoric. This contributed to people accepting the screenshot as genuine without verification.
Conclusion
The claim that Rupert Lowe posted a tweet calling for a ban on teaching sign language in the UK is completely false. The screenshot was created as satire by a third-party account and shared without its original context, leading many users to believe it was real. There is no evidence that Lowe has ever advocated for removing sign language from education, and he has publicly denied making such a statement.
The claim is rated ❌ False.
Sources
• Full Fact – “Reform MP did not call for sign language teaching ban”
• Reuters Fact Check – “Reform UK MP post calling for sign language teaching ban is fake”