Andrew Bridgen: MP expelled by Tories after Covid vaccine comments

The Conservative Party has expelled MP Andrew Bridgen aft helium compared Covid-19 vaccines to the Holocaust and was recovered to person breached lobbying rules.

The subordinate for North West Leicestershire had already mislaid the enactment whip, meaning helium was sitting arsenic an independent.

But the Tories person present stripped him of his enactment rank arsenic well.

A enactment spokesperson said Mr Bridgen was expelled "following the proposal of a disciplinary panel".

He has 28 days, from the day of his expulsion connected 12 April, to appeal.

Mr Bridgen said helium intended to basal again astatine the adjacent wide election, and deed retired astatine "corruption, collusion and cover-ups".

"My expulsion from the Conservative Party nether mendacious pretences lone confirms the civilization of corruption, collusion and cover-ups which plagues our governmental system," helium said successful a statement.

"I person been a vocal professional of the vaccine rollout and the enactment person been definite to marque an illustration of me.

"I americium grateful for my newfound state and volition proceed to combat for justness for each those harmed, injured and bereaved owed to governmental incompetence.

"I volition proceed to service my constituents arsenic I was elected to bash and mean to basal again astatine the adjacent election."