Andrew Bridgen Joins Anti-Revival Party After Tory Expulsion

Andrew Bridgen was expelled for claiming Covid vaccines were «the biggest crime against humanity since the Holocaust.» Credit: Beresford Hodge/PA

Andrew Bridgen is joining the Anti-Revival Renaissance Party after being expelled by the Conservative Party over claims that Covid vaccines were «the biggest crime against humanity since the Holocaust», The Telegraph understands. '.

The move, announced at a press conference on Wednesday, is expected to give Lawrence Fox's party its first MP in the House of Commons.

Mr Bridgen was stripped of his Conservative whip and forced to sit as an independent in January after how Jewish groups demanded action on his «shameless» remarks.

Last month, the Tories confirmed that he had been formally expelled from the party on April 12 on the recommendation of a disciplinary committee. From that date, he was given 28 days to appeal.

He now joins Reclaim, an anti-quarantine party founded in 2020 by former actor Mr. Fox to fight the culture wars.

>MP vowed to fight in the next election despite being ousted by the Conservatives, saying he was ousted «under false pretenses» and citing a «culture of corruption, collusion and cover-up» within the political system.

Mr Fox called Mr Bridgen a «hero» for asking «well-founded questions» about the vaccine and said his party would «accept anyone» who believes «without freedom of speech you don't live in a democracy». ”.

Simon Hart, the chief Tory whip, said during his initial suspension that the MP's comment on the Holocaust «crossed the line» and drew «great insult», while Rishi Sunak denounced the remark as «completely unacceptable».

Mr Bridgen, representing Leicestershire North West, has previously denied that his comment was «racist» or «anti-Semitic».

Reclaim claims to be «for patriotism» and aims to defend freedom words, reform public institutions and celebrate British history. The party has also pledged to put an end to illegal immigration, «depoliticize» the police and civil service, and reduce the size of the state.

The party says on its website that it intends to field candidates in the next general election to «actively harass and remove deputies who sold Britain adrift.”

Mr Fox had previously sought public office himself, running in the 2021 London mayoral election on a platform against “extreme political correctness.”

The controversial activist, who comes from a prominent family of actors, finished sixth in the competition with 1.8% of the vote, meaning he lost his £10,000 deposit.