In the battle for ‘free speech’, what do we do about MPs who... make things up?

At least three MPs have made easily disprovable claims, writes Marie Le Conte

Three months ago today, Andrew Bridgen stood up in the chamber of the House of Commons and spread anti-vax propaganda (PA)

Three months ago today, Andrew Bridgen stood up in the chamber of the House of Commons and spread anti-vax propaganda. He quoted a controversial doctor who called for “complete cessation of the administration of the Covid mRNA vaccines for everyone because of clear and robust data of significant harms and little ongoing benefit”.

Since then, two other MPs have, from the green benches, made easily disprovable claims that have become increasingly popular in far-right, conspiracy-laden online circles.

In February, Nick Fletcher asked for time to be set aside in the Commons “for a debate on the international socialist concept of so-called 15-minute cities”. “Fifteen-minute cities will cost us our personal freedom”, he added, “and that cannot be right.”