Andrew Bridgen expelled from Conservative Party after comparing Covid vaccines to Holocaust

Andrew Bridgen

The Conservative Party has expelled Andrew Bridgen following his controversial comments

PA
Georgina Cutler

By Georgina Cutler


Published: 26/04/2023

- 13:47

Updated: 26/04/2023

- 16:43

The MP's comments were condemned by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and former Health Secretary Matt Hancock

The Conservative Party has expelled Andrew Bridgen after he compared the Covid vaccination rollout to the Holocaust.

The MP for North West Leicestershire lost the Tory whip earlier this year, meaning he was sitting in the Commons as an independent, for making the controversial comments.


He has accused the Tories of kicking him out “under false pretences” and said he intends to stand again at the next election, as he hit out at “corruption, collusion, and cover-ups”.

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

Andrew Bridgen at a rally

He has accused the Tories of kicking him out “under false pretences” and said he intends to stand again at the next election

PA

Bridgen was suspended from the House of Commons earlier this year over his “careless and cavalier attitude” to lobbying rules.

In January, the MP tweeted: “We know the ‘vaccines’ are causing serious harms and now it’s becoming increasingly clear how they are doing it. No wonder so many people are ill since vaccination.

“As one consultant cardiologist said to me this is the biggest crime against humanity since the Holocaust."

His comments were condemned by Rishi Sunak and former Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

After receiving backlash over his comment, he said his tweet was "in no way anti-Semitic" but wanted to "apologise for any offence caused".

Following his removal from the Party, he has said he intends to stand again at the next election.

In a statement, he said: “My expulsion from the Conservative Party under false pretences only confirms the culture of corruption, collusion and cover-ups which plagues our political system.

“I have been a vocal critic of the vaccine rollout and the party have been sure to make an example of me.

“I am grateful for my newfound freedom and will continue to fight for justice for all those harmed, injured and bereaved due to governmental incompetence.

“I will continue to serve my constituents as I was elected to do and intend to stand again at the next election.”

He has not made clear whether he will appeal over the decision or will run to be an MP in opposition to the Conservatives.

Bridgen joined Patrick Christys on GB News to discuss his expulsion.

He labelled the vaccines "experimental" and warned his punishment came as a result of a "kangaroo court".

Andrew Bridgen in Parliament

Andrew Bridgen has been kicked out of the Conservative Party

PA

Bridgen said: "I'm very disappointed that the party has leaked this out.

"As I understand it confidentiality was required for me to be able to appeal against the unwarranted expulsion from the Conservative Party.

"I think it is completely spurious and I have issued a rebuttal document now to the public which I sent to CCHQ some days ago.

"I couldn't even get them to respond despite repeated requests for them to confirm they received it."

Anti-vaccine protesters showing support for Andrew Bridgen

Anti-vaccine protesters showing support for Andrew Bridgen

PA

The North West Leicestershire MP, who claimed he was suspended within an hour of the tweet in question, added: "It's deeply upsetting to be expelled from a party I've served for several decades and campaigned hard for.

"I barely recognise the Conservative Party at the moment we seem to have moved away from a party which legislates for the people to a party which legislates against the people."

Bridgen continued: "If that's cost me my political career then so be it, quite honestly Patrick, because if I've saved the life of one child being injured then that's worth it, isn't it?"

The 58-year-old, who studied biological sciences at the University of Nottingham, refused to accept that the risk of the vaccine was outweighed by its impact in saving lives as he alleged leading figures who supported jabbing Brits were in the pockets of "big-pharma".

Bridgen also claimed: "Young people are at no risk of dying from COVID-19."

A total of 217 people aged 19 and under died after contracting coronavirus in England, official statistics compiled by the UK Government have shown.

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