Appalling behaviour by Jacob Rees-Mogg as he smears a doctor
The expert Dr David Nicholl, a consultant neurologist, was drafted in by the government to help with assessing the possible shortages of medicians, food and fuel for the Operation Yellowhammer report.
Government using an expert? Good news you might expect. But…
When Jacob Rees-Mogg appeared on LBC’s Nick Ferrari show, David Nicholl rang in to ask about the risks to people’s health with a No Deal Brexit, as set out in that Yellowhammer report.
Rees-Mogg kicked off the first round of controversy by responding – to the expert the government had used, remember – with accusations of fearmongering.
Rees-Mogg then went even further in Parliament, protected by Parliamentary privilege against libel laws:
Jacob Rees-Mogg has been branded “absolutely disgusting” after likening a doctor warning of deaths after a no-deal Brexit to disgraced anti-vaxxer Andrew Wakefield.
The Commons leader angered MPs when he stepped up his war on whistleblower Dr David Nicholl, a consultant neurologist, after a bitter clash earlier this week.
“I’m afraid it seems to me that Dr David Nicholl is as irresponsible as Dr Wakefield,” Mr Rees-Mogg claimed…
Dr Wakefield … was struck off the UK medical register for unethical behaviour after his discredited research linked autism to the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. [The Independent]
Andrew Wakefield was struck off by the @gmcuk and has undermined vaccination campaigns, with major consequences for thousands of children
@djnicholl blew the whistle about threat to his patients from post-Brexit medicines shortages
Jacob Rees Mogg thinks they are the same. pic.twitter.com/JM4r7X9966— Martin McKee (@martinmckee) September 5, 2019
No wonder the British Medical Association (BMA) responded:
.@Jacob_Rees_Mogg insult about Dr David Nicholl is disgraceful. @djnicholl has courage and experience to speak the truth about the disaster of a no-deal Brexit. He should be praised not attacked https://t.co/oSDE3n5UW9
— The BMA (@TheBMA) September 5, 2019
The chair of the BMA added:
Dangerous behaviour by @Jacob_Rees_Mogg slandering the highly respected NHS consultant & whistleblower @djnicholl. Our research @TheBMA supports the doctor. Who do you trust? A doctor or a politician? Remember the bus. https://t.co/CFqZ3jXpOt
— Helena McKeown (@helenamckeown) September 5, 2019
Sarah Wollaston, Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee, added:
Absolutely disgusting for @Jacob_Rees_Mogg to slander such a highly respected NHS consultant & whistleblower as @djnicholl from behind the cowardly screen of Parliamentary privilege https://t.co/9ejgZ18hgW
— Sarah Wollaston (@sarahwollaston) September 5, 2019
And David Nicholl? He’s challenged Jacob Rees-Mogg to repeat his comments outside Parliament, where he won’t be protected by law:
Dr David Nicholl responds to Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg claiming that he is as irresponsible at the anti-vaccine campaigner Dr Andrew Wakefield.
“I am speechless. I challenge him to repeat that outside the Commons and if he does I will sue him.”
— Theo Usherwood (@theousherwood) September 5, 2019
UPDATE: David Nicholl is now standing for the Liberal Democrats against the Chancellor.
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