Suspended Tory MP says Holocaust comment was ‘in no way antisemitic’
Andrew Bridgen says he will take legal action against anyone who suggests he is 'racist' after the outcry over his tweet which compared Covid vaccine safety against the Holocaust
Suspended Tory MP Andrew Bridgen has claimed his comparison between Covid vaccine safety against the Holocaust was “in no way antisemitic” – and has threatened to take legal action against anyone who suggests he is “racist.”
In his first statement since sparking fury by tweeting an article from a far-right news site questioning vaccine safety, and writing “ this is the biggest crime against humanity since the Holocaust” the North West Leicestershire MP also vowed to “continue to ask” questions about the safety of the jabs.
He said:”My tweet of the 11th of January was in no way antisemitic. Indeed, it alluded to the Holocaust being the most heinous crime against humanity in living memory.”
The MP, who has had the party whip removed ahead of an investigation into his remarks, also said: “Of course, if anyone is genuinely offended by my use of such imagery, then I apologise for any offence caused.
“I wholeheartedly refute any suggestions that I am racist and currently I’m speaking to a legal team who will commence action against those who have led the call suggesting that I am.”
The MP was suspended by the Conservatives on Wednesday and faced criticism from Rishi Sunak who called his comments as “completely unacceptable”.
In a response on YouTube, Bridgen added:”“I’m disappointed that the chief whip, Simon Hart, with the support of the prime minister, has chosen to suspend me as a member of the Conservative parliamentary party.”
The suspended MP also told viewers that he would “continue to ask” questions about the vaccine, complaining about “the current state of our democracy, the right to free speech.”
Bridgen has previously sparked anger over comments made about an alleged “Jewish lobby” during a parliamentary debate.
He used the term in 2014 during a Palestine debate telling MPs “the political system of the world’s superpower and our great ally the United States is very susceptible to well-funded powerful lobbying groups and the power of the Jewish lobby in America.”
The anti racism organisation Hope Not Hate have also raised further concern about Bridget’s recent appearance on a podcast broadcast by his close associate James Delingpole, where they both discussed Covid conspiracy theories.
Delingpole has previously sparked anger after defending the rapper Kayne West over his antisemitism comments.
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