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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Sophie Huskisson

MP Andrew Bridgen expelled by Tories for comparing Covid vaccines to Holocaust

Andrew Bridgen has been expelled from the Tory party for comparing the Covid-19 vaccine to the Holocaust.

The controversial MP provoked outrage when he posted a tweet earlier this year about the life-saving jabs programme.

In an incendiary message, the backbencher who represents North West Leicestershire, wrote: "One consultant cardiologist said to me this is the biggest crime against humanity since the Holocaust".

Mr Bridgen was stripped of the Tory whip following the tweet in January, which the party said had "crossed the line".

The Conservatives today announced that he had been permanently kicked out.

A party spokesman said: "Mr Bridgen was expelled from the Conservative Party on 12 April following the recommendation of a disciplinary panel. He has 28 days from this date to appeal.”

Andrew Bridgen is rumoured to be considering Laurence Fox's Reclaim Party (PA)

In an unapologetic statement in response, Mr Bridgen insisted he still will stand at the next election.

He said: “My expulsion from the Conservative Party under false pretences only confirms the toxic culture which plagues our political system. Above all else this is an issue of freedom of speech.

"No elected Member of Parliament should ever be penalised for speaking on behalf of their constituents and those who have no such voice or platform.

"As a vocal critic of the vaccine rollout amongst other issues such as net zero, illegal immigration, and political corruption the Party has been sure to make an example of me.

"I am grateful for my newfound freedom and will continue to fight for justice, speech, and liberty. I will continue to serve my constituents as I was elected to do and intend to stand again at the next election.”

There are rumours Mr Bridgen could join Laurence Fox's Reclaim Party.

The MP has been increasingly vocal in his remarks questioning the vaccine in recent months.

Rishi Sunak condemned the remarks, saying it was "utterly unacceptable to make linkages and language like that" (Wiktor Szymanowicz/REX/Shutterstock)

His tweet was met with cross-party outrage when it was posted earlier this year.

Speaking in the Commons at PMQs in January, Rishi Sunak condemned the remarks, saying it was "utterly unacceptable to make linkages and language like that".

The Tory MP Michael Fabricant said Mr Bridgen would have "blood on his hands" if he discouraged the public from getting the jab.

He said: "If this deters people from being vaccinated and causes deaths as a direct consequence, he’ll have blood on his hands. His tweets are wholly irresponsible."

Two weeks after making the comment on Twitter, Mr Bridgen said he was suing Mr Hancock after the ex-Health Secretary condemned him for his words about Covid vaccines.

Mr Bridged tweeted that he would "allow Matt three days to apologise publicy [sic] for calling me an antisemite and racist or he will be contacted by my legal team".

The Mirror revealed last month that Mr Bridgen accepted nearly £8,000 worth of support from an 'anti-woke' group founded by Laurence Fox.

Reclaim the Media, an offshoot of Fox’s Reclaim political party, paid for Mr Bridgen’s legal threats against former Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

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