Keir Starmer strongly criticized Reform for spreading dangerous conspiracy theories related to vaccines that he claimed put lives at risk. The Prime Minister expressed distrust towards Nigel Farage and others associated with Reform, particularly for providing a platform to individuals linking Covid vaccines with members of the Royal Family battling cancer. In response to a query from Labour backbencher Dr. Simon Opher, a former GP turned MP, Starmer condemned the dissemination of false rumors, emphasizing the detrimental impact of such misinformation on public health.
Starmer highlighted the imperative of safeguarding the National Health Service (NHS) from unreliable sources like Reform, underscoring his pride in the ongoing vaccination efforts, including the administration of chicken pox vaccines to half a million children. Dr. Opher, drawing on his medical background, called for updates on the new chicken pox vaccine rollout and urged the Prime Minister to denounce political entities that promote falsehoods about vaccinations.
In his retort, Starmer commended Labour’s commitment to protecting children through vaccination programs, contrasting it with Reform’s stance. The party’s health policies were called into question, particularly referencing baseless claims made by Dr. Aseem Malhotra, a key figure in Reform UK, during the party’s recent conference. Malhotra’s assertion linking Covid vaccines to cancer among Royal Family members was met with skepticism from health experts and fact-checking organizations, who have refuted such claims, emphasizing the safety of vaccines.
Despite the controversy, a spokesperson for Reform UK distanced the party from Malhotra’s statements, citing his role as a guest speaker with personal opinions. The party affirmed its support for free speech but clarified that it did not endorse the specific claims made by Malhotra.