Tory MP accuses leading doctor of COVID vaccine cover-up

An MP has accused a leading heart research charity of "covering up" data about COVID vaccines and an alleged link to inflammation of the heart.

COVID vaccines have played a key role in bringing lockdowns to an end around the world and saving countless lives.

However, speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen called for the immediate cessation of all COVID vaccines because of what he claimed is "clear and robust data of significant harms and little ongoing benefit".

He said a "conspiracy of silence" was preventing a wider discussion about the issue.

Bridgen went on to allege that a senior figure at the British Heart Foundation is suppressing reports that the vaccine increases inflammation of the heart arteries.

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"It has been brought to my attention by a whistleblower from a very reliable source that one of these institutions is covering up clear data that reveals that the mRNA vaccine increases inflammation of the heart arteries," he told MPs.

"It is covering this up for fear that it may lose funding from the pharmaceutical industry.

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"The lead of that cardiology research department has a prominent leadership role with the British Heart Foundation, and I am disappointed to say that he has sent out non-disclosure agreements to his research team to ensure that this important data never sees the light of day.

"That is an absolute disgrace. Systemic failure in an over-medicated population also contributes to huge waste of British taxpayers’ money and increasing strain on the NHS."

The BHF has denied knowledge of the allegations.

In November 2021, a research abstract was published and cited by some commentators as proof that COVID-19 vaccines increase a person’s risk of heart disease.

The abstract, published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, claimed mRNA vaccines “dramatically increase” inflammation in the heart, which “may account for the observations of increased thrombosis, cardiomyopathy, and other vascular events following vaccination”.

The research was widely shared on social media as "evidence" of the dangers of vaccines.

However, multiple experts raised criticisms of the abstract with the American Heart Association itself publishing an “expression of concern” to warn that the passage may not be reliable and that a “suitable correction” was needed.

Maria Caulfield, mental health and women's minister, rejected Bridgen's remarks during the debate.

"I have worked in clinical research, and I can say categorically that the data is not hidden from the public or the MHRA; it is inspected rigorously and can be reinspected at any time," she said.

Responding to the comments, a spokesperson for the BHF told Yahoo News UK:" We do not recognise these claims and strongly refute all allegations made about colleagues in senior leadership roles within the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

"As a trusted provider of heart health information, we are committed to being completely independent, and take great care to be accurate and transparent with all public health information.

“We would encourage those making these serious allegations to share specific, credible information with us which supports them.

"The BHF’s advice on vaccines is based on rigorous scrutiny of the latest evidence, which to date shows that the benefits of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine greatly outweigh the risk of extremely rare side effects for the vast majority of people.”

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The remarks come after Bridgen used prime minister questions last week to ask Rishi Sunak to reverse "the big pharma-funded" recommendation to vaccinate babies.

"Given that mRNA vaccines are not recommended for pregnant women or those who are breastfeeding, would my right honourable friend overturn the big pharma-funded MHRA’s recent recommendation that these experimental vaccines are administered to children as young as six months of age?” he said.

Sunak responded by telling Bridgen vaccines were "safe and effective" and any decisions on their safety were for the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

And FullFact swiftly rejected Bridgen's claims - highlighting the NHS recommends getting vaccinated if you are pregnant of breastfeeding.