Keir Starmer strongly criticized Reform for spreading dangerous vaccine conspiracy theories that he said could lead to loss of lives. The Prime Minister expressed distrust towards Nigel Farage and others associated with Reform for providing a platform to individuals linking Covid vaccines with cancer diagnoses in Royal Family members. In response to a question from Labour backbencher Dr. Simon Opher, a former GP turned MP, Starmer condemned the dissemination of false rumors, emphasizing the detrimental impact of such conspiracy theories on public health.
Starmer highlighted the importance of countering misinformation by stating, “These dangerous conspiracies cost lives and it shows that reform can’t be trusted with our NHS.” He proudly mentioned the ongoing vaccination efforts, particularly the administration of chicken pox vaccines to half a million children, to safeguard public health.
Dr. Opher, emphasizing the significance of vaccinations, urged the Prime Minister to update the House on the new rollout of chicken pox vaccinations aimed at enhancing children’s protection. He also called for condemnation of political parties that provide platforms for spreading false information about vaccines.
In response, Starmer commended his colleague’s expertise and reiterated Labour’s commitment to safeguarding children through vaccination programs. He contrasted Labour’s efforts with Reform’s health policies, highlighting baseless claims linking vaccines to cancer made by a key figure in Reform UK.
During Reform UK’s recent conference, Dr. Aseem Malhotra made controversial statements linking Covid vaccines to cancer diagnoses in members of the Royal Family. Referring to a prominent oncologist’s alleged views, Malhotra insinuated a connection between the vaccines and the cancer cases within the Royal Family, a claim refuted by fact-checking organizations.
Independent fact-checking firm Full Fact has debunked the notion that Covid-19 vaccines cause cancer, emphasizing the continuous safety monitoring conducted by regulatory agencies like the MHRA. In response to the controversy, a spokesperson for Reform UK clarified that Dr. Aseem Malhotra’s views were his own and not endorsed by the party, emphasizing their support for freedom of speech.
The conflicting statements have sparked debate over the spread of medical misinformation and the need for accurate information dissemination to ensure public trust in vaccination programs.