Andrew Bridgen is no longer a Conservative MP after he compared the COVID vaccine to the Holocaust.

Sky News reported that the MP for Ashby de la Zouch claimed COVID vaccines "are causing serious harms" and said the programme was "the biggest crime against humanity since the holocaust".

Tory Chief Whip Simon Hart said: "Andrew Bridgen has crossed a line, causing great offence in the process.

"As a nation we should be very proud of what has been achieved through the vaccine programme. The vaccine is the best defence against COVID that we have.

"Misinformation about the vaccine causes harm and costs lives. I am therefore removing the whip from Andrew Bridgen with immediate effect, pending a formal investigation."

Having the whip removed means Mr Bridgen is no longer a Conservative MP but is now an independent MP.

The MP for North West Leicestershire is already serving a five-day suspension from the Commons for breaching lobbying rules and suggesting the woman investigating him could be swayed with a peerage.

The BBC website added that, in recent weeks, he has become increasingly vocal in his criticism of programmes to vaccinate people against Covid-19.

Posting a link to an article on vaccines earlier, he added: "As one consultant cardiologist said to me, this is the biggest crime against humanity since the Holocaust."

Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, called the comments "highly irresponsible and wholly inappropriate".