Ashby MP Andrew Bridgen has today (Wednesday) been confirmed as being permanently expelled from the Conservative Party.

Sky News is reporting that a statement has been released detailing the decision.

The MP for North West Leicestershire had the Tory whip removed in January after comparing Covid vaccines to the Holocaust.

That was considered a highly controversial tweet, although Mr Bridgen did issue an apology to anyone who had been offended.

However, he has continued to speak out about vaccines on social media.

Since then, he has been sitting as an Independent MP.

In a statement, a spokesman for the Conservatives said: "Mr Bridgen was expelled from the Conservative Party on April 12 following the recommendation of a disciplinary panel.

"He has 28 days from this date to appeal."

But Mr Bridgen has now responded to the decision to expel him.

He said: "My expulsion from the Conservative Party under false pretences only confirms the culture of corruption, collusion and cover-ups which plagues our political system.

"I have been a vocal critic of the vaccine rollout and the party have been sure to make an example of me.

"I am grateful for my new found freedom and will continue to fight for justice for all those harmed, injured and bereaved due to governmental incompetence.

"I will continue to serve my constituents as I was elected to do and intend to stand again at the next election."

Mr Bridgen does not say if he will appeal the decision, but in a Facebook post, he added: "Above all else, this is an issue of freedom of speech.

"No elected Member of Parliament should ever be penalised for speaking on behalf of those who have no voice."

Sky News says that, despite originally encouraging his constituents to get vaccinated against Covid, Mr Bridgen has become an outspoken critic of the programme, saying in his tweet that it is "the biggest crime against humanity since the Holocaust".

The Conservative whip was suspended on January 11 as a result of the tweet that was described by former health secretary Matt Hancock as "antisemitic" - something Mr Bridgen has strongly denied.

He has been rebuked a number of times for his views on the Covid vaccine, particularly by Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt, who recently accused him of promoting "false propaganda" originating from the Kremlin and "abusing and undermining colleagues".

Mr Bridgen's office has been approached for comment.