UK Tories suspend lawmaker over vaccine misinformation

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Britain's ruling Conservative Party on Wednesday suspended a lawmaker who spread false information about COVID-19 vaccines and likened vaccinations to the Holocaust.

The party suspended Andrew Bridgen from the Conservative group in the House of Commons after he tweeted an article questioning the safety of vaccines and said a cardiologist told him "this is the biggest crime against vaccines". humanity since the Holocaust".

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Andrew Bridgen's comments were "completely unacceptable" and he condemned them "in the strongest possible terms".< /p>

Tory Chief Whip Simon Hart said Bridgen “crossed a line, causing great offense in the process.”< /p>

“Vaccine misinformation causes harm and costs of lives. I therefore remove the Whip from Andrew Bridgen with immediate effect, pending of an official investigation,” Hart said.

He is currently suspended from entering Parliament for five days for breaching lobbying rules. Upon his return, he will sit as an independent legislator.

Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, called the comments "highly irresponsible and totally inappropriate".

Bridgen represents the North West constituency of Leicestershire in central England and has developed a national reputation in recent years as a strong Brexit advocate.