A Tory MP has sparked fury for showing contempt for a frontline doctor who was critical of the Government on Good Morning Britain.
Andrew Bridgen MP, who was a guest on ITV’s flagship morning news programme, has attracted severe criticism after being disrespectful to Dr Rachel Clarke, who works on the frontline of the UK’s response to the pandemic.
In an interview with the panel, Clarke had been critical of the Government’s decision to “let people walk around, knowing their positive and infecting other people” before Bridgen showed disdain for her comments.
Barefaced contempt for frontline NHS staff from Andrew Bridgen pic.twitter.com/7A2huIIPXw
— PoliticsJOE (@PoliticsJOE_UK) February 21, 2022
Speaking of the potential decision to end self-isolation rules, she said: “It’s not just irresponsible or reckless, it’s worse than that. It just underlies the dishonesty of the government rhetoric over the last two years.”
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Clarke’s livestream was cut off as she was speaking due to poor signal, upon which Bridgen said “thank goodness”.
The comment earned the ire of presenter Susanna Reid.
She said: “Let’s have some respect for somebody who works on the frontline of this, Andrew Bridgen.”
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Many voiced their anger with Bridgen on social media.
A GP's stream cut out while she was explaining the impact of scrapping all Covid rules on the clinically vulnerable.
— Nadia Whittome MP (@NadiaWhittomeMP) February 21, 2022
Andrew Bridgen MP said "thank goodness".
Tories don't respect frontline NHS workers and they don't care about clinically vulnerable people.
Labour MP Nadia Whittome said: "Tories don't respect frontline NHS workers and they don't care about clinically vulnerable people."
The absolute arrogance and disrespect from Andrew Bridgen for an NHS Dr. 😡 https://t.co/0Hw7Mjbrwl
— Diane Murphy (@murphy_di) February 21, 2022
NHS nurse, Diane Murphy said: "The absolute arrogance and disrespect from Andrew Bridgen for an NHS Dr."
161,000 people have died from Covid during the pandemic in the UK alone.
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