MP Bridgen sues Hancock for £100,000 over Covid ‘antisemitism’ vaccine row
The MP Andrew Bridgen has claimed former heath secretary libelled him when he accused him of spouting 'antisemitic conspiracy theories' after comparing Covid vaccines to the Holocaust
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
The MP Andrew Bridgen is suing Matt Hancock for £100,000 over a Twitter message posted the former health secretary which accused him of spouting “antisemitic, anti-vax, anti-scientific conspiracy theories” after he compared the safety of Covid vaccines with the Holocaust.
In a “letter before action”sent to Hancock on January 18th, Bridgen’s legal team set out its claim against the ex-minister with a demand for £100,000 damages.
The Telegraph reports that Bridgen’s legal action is being funded by the Reclaim Party and the ‘Bad Law Project’.
But asked to comment on the MP’s legal move, a spokesperson for Hancock told Jewish News:”What Matt said was obviously not libellous and he stands by his comments.”
The row began after Bridgen posted a tweet, along with an article published by a far-right US site, writing:“As one consultant cardiologist said to me, this is the biggest crime against humanity since the Holocaust.”
The tweet sparked widespread outrage, a the whip was withdrawn from the MP, as the Conservative Party launched an investigation.
Hancock used a question to the Prime Minister during PMQs in the Commons to label Bridgen’s tweet as“antisemitic, anti-vax, anti-scientific conspiracy theories”
He then repeated this claim in a tweet.
Laurence Fox, the leader of Reclaim, told the Telegraph: “The Reclaim Party and the Bad Law Project is providing its full support to Mr Bridgen and we want a full apology from Mr Hancock.
“It’s an issue of free speech, transparency and compassion for those suffering vaccine harms.
“I have been approached by a number of people quite keen to put a few quid into this when we pursue the case.”
In a letter before action sent on January 18th, Bridgen’s lawyers claimed:“By inclusion of the phrases ‘antisemitic’, ‘anti-vax’, ‘anti-scientific’ and ‘conspiracy theories’ the words are defamatory at common law.”
Hancock’s spokesperson added:“Rather than wasting his time and money on an absurd libel case he will undoubtedly lose, let’s hope Bridgen does the right thing and apologises for the hurt he’s caused and keeps his offensive view to himself in future.”
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