Jacob Rees-Mogg has apologised for comparing a Brexit whistleblower to Andrew Wakefield, the doctor who become notorious for wrongly linking the MMR vaccination with autism.
Consultant neurologist Dr David Nicholl, who helped write the Governments Operation Yellowhammer plans for a no-deal Brexit, spoke out as a whistleblower over the Governments apparent inability to stockpile certain drugs.
Tory MP Mr Rees-Mogg told MPs: Preparations are in place and they are being done with remarkable efficiency. But yes, a lot of Remainers wish to make our skins crawl.
What he had to say, I will repeat it, is as irresponsible as Dr Wakefield in threatening that people will die because we leave the European Union. What level of irresponsibility was that?
His comments drew widespread anger, with Englands chief medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies writing to him expressing her sincere disappointment about the disrespectful way he spoke about Dr Nicholl.
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She said: Comparing an established medical expert to a man who was struck off the medical register by the General Medical Council, and described by them as dishonest, irresponsible and showed callous disregard for the distress and pain of children is going too far and is frankly unacceptable.
I have written to @Jacob_Rees_Mogg to express my sincere disappointment and show my support for doctors across the country, particularly @djnicholl.
Doctors are amongst the most trusted people in our country; it is worth listening to what they have to say with respect.
