A SENIOR Tory MP has refused to apologise for telling vaccine sceptics to “persist” with their campaign against lockdown restrictions, claiming he was unaware of their position on jags.
Cabinet member Michael Gove told former minister Sir Desmond Swayne to retract his remarks and apologise today, condemning his colleague as “completely out of order”.
The Tories have declined to suspend the lockdown sceptic over his comments, or for a separate interview with anti-vaxxer Del Bigtree, and it is understood he will be asked to attend meetings with scientific advisers.
Sky News reported that Swayne told the Save Our Rights UK group, which argues wrongly that vaccines are “being rushed through safety testing”, that some Covid-19 figures had been “manipulated” and called on them to “persist” in their campaign.
The New Forest West MP said he is “evangelical” in his support for the vaccination programme and pointed out that he is on the record as criticising the use of data and other health measures in the House of Commons.
“I have always had a great deal of respect for Michael but I’m not sure precisely what I’m being asked to apologise for,” Swayne said.
“I had no idea indeed I am not aware of any baggage they hold on anti-vaxx it’s never been discussed, never been raised.”
He said he was telling the campaigners to “persist” in the campaign against restrictions, but insisted they should stick to the rules.
Earlier, Gove called for the MP to issue a full retraction and apologise for his “unacceptable” comments.
READ MORE: Tory MP calls Black Lives Matter protesters 'looters and arsonists'
The senior Cabinet minister told Sky News: “Sir Desmond is wrong.
“I work with Sir Desmond, I have great affection for him but I’m afraid here he is completely out of order.”
Pressed if he thinks be kicked out of the party if he does not apology, Gove said: “I think it’s for Sir Desmond to make that apology to retract and withdraw his words and I’m sure he will reflect on that mistake and I’m sure he will be very clear it was a serious mistake and an apology will be forthcoming.”
Tory MP Sir Desmond Swayne is refusing to apologise for his #COVID19 denialism & disinformation. In Trumpian manner he is disputing 100,000 dead but won't give any evidence why. He should have the Tory whip withdrawn. Here he is in the Commons last week hard at work. pic.twitter.com/wzKcfZmsan
— Gerry Hassan (@GerryHassan) January 28, 2021
Dozens of arrests have taken place during marches against lockdown restrictions organised by Save Our Rights UK.
Sky News reported that in November Swayne told the group that the figures were “bouncing round at the typical level of deaths for the time of year”.
“It seems to be a manageable risk, particularly as figures have been manipulated … We’re told there is a deathly, deadly pandemic proceeding at the moment,” he said.
READ MORE: Desmond Swayne: People have lost sense of humour over blacking up
“That is difficult to reconcile with ICUs (intensive care units) actually operating at typical occupation levels for the time of year and us bouncing round at the typical level of deaths for the time of year.”
This month Swayne told US anti-vaxxer Bigtree that the UK has become “a police state” and accused the UK Government of attempting to implement “social control” through actions such as the mandatory wearing of face masks, the broadcaster reported.
Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner has written to the Tory party calling for more action.
She said Swayne had "used an interview to spread dangerous misinformation about coronavirus".
A spokesman for the Conservative Whips Office said: “We completely condemn these comments.
“It is on all of us to work together to control the virus to protect the NHS and save lives.
“People across the country are sacrificing so much to help beat the virus and we thank them for their efforts.”
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