BROMSGROVE MP Sajid Javid suggested it angered him to see Andrew Bridgen connect the UK's Covid vaccine policy with the Holocaust.

Opening a Commons debate on Holocaust Memorial Day, Conservative former minister Mr Javid said: "In this debate, we should all reflect on our roles as policymakers, because we know the sickening pattern of atrocities all too well.

"We are right to reaffirm our commitment to 'never again', but we must also as parliamentarians do more to prepare the political foundations and the policy framework to prevent the next atrocity.

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"Our commitment to the truth must also be reinforced at home, including in how we counter misinformation and conspiracy theories."

The former health secretary added: "Right now in the UK, we have seen a rise in anti-vaccine protesters carrying signs reading 'vaccine holocaust' and wearing the Star of David. I must say, it does anger me that any member of this House would seek to connect the Holocaust with UK public health policy."

North West Leicestershire MP Mr Bridgen was stripped of the Tory whip after appearing to compare Covid-19 vaccines with the Holocaust in a tweet.

MPs across the chamber could be heard to say "hear, hear" when Conservative former minister Sajid Javid appeared to condemn Andrew Bridgen.

Mr Javid continued: "To tackle persecution our voices and actions are needed now more than ever. Research from the Community Security Trust shows that in the first half of 2022 alone that there have been recorded some 782 incidents of anti-Jewish hate in the UK.

"As is so often, that hatred is fuelled in the online world."

He added: "Recent research shows that every day in the UK, over 1,300 explicitly antisemitic tweets are posted, some to members of this House.

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"It is no wonder that many British Jews are becoming increasingly frustrated at the words of condemnation alone, when it seems too often that the perpetrators of this hate do not always receive the punishment that should fit the crime."

Mr Javid had earlier drawn attention to his own background, telling the Commons it was "an honour for me to be the first Muslim to lead this debate from the backbenches".