Tory MP accused of spreading "dangerous misinformation" about coronavirus

[Fambo Number Mive]

Sir Desmond Swayne told an anti-lockdown group that statistics on the virus "appear to have been manipulated" and risks to the NHS were "manageable".

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said the comments were "unacceptable" and called for him to apologise.

But the New Forest West MP has stood by his remarks, telling Sky News he held a "legitimate point of view".

Labour's deputy leader, Angela Rayner, has called for the prime minister to "intervene urgently", having earlier written to the Conservative Party party chairwoman about his conduct.

She said Boris Johnson should "condemn these comments and take action", adding: "A failure to do so risks undermining our national effort to defeat this virus, combat dangerous anti-vaccine disinformation and vaccinate Britain"...

Asked if he would apologise for his comments, Sir Desmond said "no" and claimed any action against him by his party would be a "thought crime".

He added: "I accept entirely that the situation has changed and changed dramatically as a consequence of the new variant.

"But I think they were perfectly legitimate and widely held views at the time."...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-55839252

Why hasn't the whip been removed from Swayne? That seems to only happen to MPs who vote against Johnson on Brexit, not MPs who spread nonsense about COVID.

Also, Swayne doesn't understand what thought crime is - being reprimanded for his party for what he said would not be thought crime. He needs to read 1984.

[Thomas]

Classic Swayney!

In January 2016, the Labour Party unsuccessfully proposed an amendment in Parliament that would have required private landlords to make their homes "fit for human habitation". According to Parliament's register of interests, Swayne was one of 72 Conservative MPs who voted against the amendment who personally derived an income from renting out property. The Conservative Government had responded to the amendment that they believed homes should be fit for human habitation but did not want to pass the new law that would explicitly require it.

In a television interview in December 2020 he called for healthcare and scientific experts to be "put in their place" and said: "We're [the government] paying too much attention to health professionals and scientists on health and science issues."

[imitationleather]

Has Swayne been on HIGNFY yet?

[Fambo Number Mive]

Only a matter of time. From watching him in the House of Commons, he sees himself as a bit of a character.

[Huxleys Babkins]

Why hasn't the whip been removed from Swayne?

Because most of the backbenches agree with him.

[idunnosomename]

this is the cunt that looks like a low-poly max headroom

[evilcommiedictator]

Rishi won't be the next PM, Swayne will!

On another note, you lot in the UK are amateurs, we've got 2 MPs here in Aus spreading disinformation, and they haven't even got a slapdown from the PM yet

[Fambo Number Mive]

Times of Israel:

The Conservatives have defended an MP who appeared on an allegedly antisemitic radio programme linked to Holocaust deniers, claiming he was "not aware of the history of this show".

Jewish community leaders called for the party to take "immediate action" against Sir Desmond Swayne this week, over his appearance on anti-lockdown 'Richie Allen Show', which has given a platform to conspiracy theorists and antisemites in the past.

Hope Not Hate raised the alarm on Thursday, saying in "November 2020 Swayne was a guest on Britain's leading antisemitic conspiracy theory show, The Richie Allen Show. Allen opened the show describing Swayne as "pretty much a lone voice in Parliament" due to his anti-lockdown stance...Jewish groups urged the party to take action, with he Community Security saying: "It is scandalous that any MP would appear on this notorious radio show that has supported Holocaust deniers, promoted conspiracies about British Jews and is closely connected to conspiracy theorist David Icke. The Conservative Party needs to deal with this as a matter of urgency."

The Jewish Labour Movement said the Tories "must take immediate action", saying the show is " filled with conspiracy theories, Holocaust deniers and dog whistle antisemitism".

The Campaign Against Antisemitism echoed concerns, calling his appearance "appalling" and branding the show a "magnet for antisemites and conspiracy theorists."

"No MP should be seen or heard cavorting with the far-right".

Brexit Party MEPs were criticised in 2019 for appearing on the show.

Interesting how the Tories only seem to care about antisemitism when Labour are involved.

[thenoise]

Well they wouldnt tolerate any of that vulgar muslim anti semitism. It's nice polite British antisemitism. Wrinkling of noses over crumpets, that sort of thing. Rather quaint really.

[Johnny Yesno]

This doesn't look good for Corbyn.

[Wonderful Butternut]

Interesting how the Tories only seem to care about antisemitism when Labour are involved.

Shhhh... you're not supposed to say that.

[beanheadmcginty]

Dunno whether it is still the case, but he certainly used to have an absolutely cracking pair of sideburns. Can't deny him that.

[jobotic]

Interesting how the Tories only seem to care about antisemitism when Labour are involved.

Interesting how the Labour leadership only seem to care about antisemitism when Labour are involved.

[dissolute ocelot]

Dunno whether it is still the case, but he certainly used to have an absolutely cracking pair of sideburns. Can't deny him that.

If this is a recent photo, you can't even give him credit for facial hair.

[evilcommiedictator]

Antisemitism on the left on the rise again it seems