A former Leicestershire MP has threatened legal action against Rishi Sunak. Andrew Bridgen has accused the former Conservative Prime Minister of taking part in an attempt to "harm" his reputation, "place him in danger" and "make it harder for him to earn a living". 



Andrew Bridgen has accused former PM Rishi Sunak of placing him in physical danger over his comments (Photo: Wiki Commons)

Mr Sunak is accused of acting with then-health secretary Matt Hancock to tell Parliament, and by extension the public, that Mr Bridgen "had done something anti-Semitic". The actions were "all to punish him for challenging the government" over his concerns about the safety of the Covid-19 vaccines and to "deter others from doing the same", the former North West Leicestershire MP further claimed. 

Lawyers working for Mr Sunak have branded the accusations "entirely fanciful" and claimed the allegations are "built on unevidenced and baseless speculation". Lawyers said that it was "denied in the clearest terms that Mr Sunak has acted unlawfully towards" Mr Bridgen. 

The potential lawsuit was revealed by Mr Bridgen when he published on X, formerly known as Twitter, a copy of a "pre-action letter" – a document setting out the details of a claim that may be pursued in court. In the letter sent to Mr Sunak, he accused the two MPs of discussing a question put by Mr Hancock to Mr Sunak in advance of that day's Prime Minister's Questions. 

Mr Hancock had asked on Wednesday 11th January 2023 if the then-PM agreed "the disgusting, anti-Semitic, anti-vax conspiracy theories" allegedly made by Mr Bridgen that morning had "no place in this House or in our wider society?" 

Mr Bridgen had shared on X a link to an article about Covid vaccines, stating: "As one consultant cardiologist said to me, this is the biggest crime against humanity since the Holocaust." Mr Bridgen denies this was anti-Semitic, claiming instead that his post "in fact emphasised the seriousness of the Holocaust". 

Mr Sunak answered that he too "completely" condemned those "types of comments". He added: "Obviously, it is utterly unacceptable to make linkages and use language like that, and I'm determined that the scourge of anti-Semitism is eradicated. It has absolutely no place in our society." 

Mr Bridgen claimed the two men had been reading from notes when they spoke, alleging this suggested the question and answer had been "scripted in advance". This is despite it not being on the order paper for the day, he claimed. 

This made it possible to "infer" that Mr Sunak's answer had been "discussed between them in advance", Mr Bridgen added. He accused the two politicians of carrying out a "concerted and premeditated attempt" to "harm" him, "place him in physical danger" and to "avoid dealing with" his comments over the Covid-19 vaccinations. 

Mr Bridgen claimed he has been caused "financial loss" as a result, including "harm to his prospects of future employment" as a result of the alleged "smear" that he was "anti-Semitic". He estimates this loss to be in the region of £500,000 a year for 10 years through missed "business opportunities", "directorship on boards", and "media appearances". 

The former MP also posted the response he said he received from lawyers acting on behalf of Mr Sunak. The letter said: "Your claim is entirely fanciful and built on unevidenced and baseless speculation. For the avoidance of doubt, it is denied in the clearest terms that Mr Sunak has acted unlawfully towards you, whether as set out in your letter or otherwise. 

"Mr Sunak responded by expressing his honestly held opinions on matters of the highest public interest. The questioning of ministers by elected members on the floor of the House of Commons, including at PMQs, is a central aspect of our democratic system. It allows parliament and the public to hold the executive to account." 

It added: "Mr Sunak will robustly defend any claim you bring against him." 

Mr Bridgen is also engaged in legal proceedings against Mr Hancock for libel over a post on X following the question posed in the Commons in which the health secretary said: "The disgusting and dangerous anti-Semitic, anti-vax, anti-scientific conspiracy theories spouted by a sitting MP this morning are unacceptable and have absolutely no place in our society." 

Mr Hancock tried to get the case thrown out before it went to trial, but a judge ruled there were "compelling reasons for further investigation at trial and a fully considered judgment thereafter". Mr Hancock has previously branded the case "absurd" and labelled Mr Bridgen's claims "ridiculous". 

Mr Bridgen was suspended by the Conservatives after his post and expelled from the party in April 2023. He then sat as a Reclaim Party member and then independent MP until he was defeated at the last general election.