Matt Hancock social media post libel row continues in court

WorldPolitics
20 May 2026 • 9:15 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Matt Hancock, the former Conservative health secretary, is being sued for libel by Andrew Bridgen, a former MP, over a social media post from January 2023.
  • Mr Hancock is challenging a High Court ruling that allowed Mr Bridgen's libel claim to proceed to trial, arguing the case "should never have been brought."
  • The dispute centres on a tweet by Mr Hancock, which described Mr Bridgen's comments about Covid vaccines as "disgusting and dangerous antisemitic, anti-vax, anti-scientific conspiracy theories."
  • Mr Hancock's legal team asserts his opinion was honest and expresses concern the case could be used to attack the Covid-19 vaccination scheme.
  • Mr Bridgen's representative argues that Mr Hancock's tweet was not antisemitic, given the context, and that Mr Hancock is attempting to avoid this conclusion.

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