Melinda Messenger hits back after being 'gagged' on This Morning

Melinda Messenger has lashed out at This Morning saying that she felt ‘ganged up on’ after appearing on a show to talk about the HPV vaccine.

After urging the public NOT to let their daughters have the vaccine which protects against cervical cancer, the former glamour model says she was shocked by the show’s hostile attitude to her view.

Melinda took to social media to vent her frustrations saying that presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby essentially ‘gagged’ her from saying her opinion to skip the potentially life-saving vaccine.

“I can only assume that the This Morning team, Philip and Holly must have had a huge amount of pressure on them on what to let me say, and what to stop me from saying,” said Melinda. “Four against one, the PHA [Public Health Authority] must have been very worried.”

It’s believed that the Public Health Authority had previously tried to ban the appearance.

She went on to say that she was ‘shocked’ by the ‘extreme’ level of ‘hostility’ aimed at her during the interview.

“The level of anger and hostility thrown at me was extreme, especially considering they had invited me on to talk about my concerns as a parent over the HPV vaccine, but would not let me talk or have another supporting voice who shared the same view, to balance out the debate.”

On Thursday evening following her comments, Melinda remained defiant and tweeted, “I don’t think any one should be bullied into silence. We all have a right to our opinions. And you have a right to be heard.”

She replied to a Twitter user who questioned her opinion, saying, “We can still pap screen and vaccinate if that’s your choice. I hope all of our daughters remain healthy.”

Earlier that day, This Morning’s Dr Chris Stelee criticised Melinda for her airing her controversial views, saying, “What upsets me, Melinda, is that you’ve actually come out into the public domain and said this. You could have just said this privately.”

According to Cancer Research UK, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women under the age of 35.