Can't happen here?

guestposter

February 1

Over in Westminster considerable concern expressed at the following:

MPs have condemned plans by the former Tory backbencher Andrew Bridgen to host an MEP from Germany's Alternative für Deutschland in parliament, weeks after members of the far-right party were caught in discussion with neo-Nazis about carrying out mass deportations.

There was also concern that parliament could be used as a platform for the dissemination of conspiracy theories after Bridgen said the event, billed as a meeting of the Save Our Sovereignty campaign group, would discuss issues including "vaccine harms", 15-minute cities and a "power grab" by the World Health Organization.

Bridgen, who now sits as an independent MP after being expelled from the Conservatives for comparing the use of Covid vaccines to the Holocaust, said the meeting on Monday would be addressed by the AfD MEP Christine Anderson and two other individuals.

As well as Anderson, the meeting will be addressed by Meryl Nass, who had her licence as a doctor in the US state of Maine suspended during the pandemic over the sharing of misinformation about Covid-19, and Philipp Kruse, a Swiss lawyer associated with an anti-vaccine group.

That could never happen here, could it?

Er... actually, as noted by Paul Culloty in comments, yes, yes it could.

TDs have voiced serious concerns about an event being organised in Leinster House which features a panel of prominent far-right individuals and anti-vaccination campaigners.

Senator Sharon Keogan has been criticised for arranging a briefing for politicians and political staff entitled "WHO pandemic treaty, know the facts", which is due to take place next Tuesday.

...

Six panelists are listed on the invite which was issued to members of the Dáil and Seanad.

The speakers include Christine Anderson, an MEP from Germany's far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party.

Mass protests were triggered recently after it revealed that a AfD members held a secret meeting with neo-Nazis to discuss a plan to deport foreign or foreign-born individuals in the event of the party gaining power.

Meryl Nass, a Maine doctor who had her licence suspended for violating medical privacy and prescribing rules, is also a listed speaker.

Ms Nass is a prominent anti-vax campaigner and has advocated medicines which been found to not be an effective treatment for covid, like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine.

Also on the panel is Dr Tess Lawrie, who founded the World Council for Health group which has accused of being used to spread covid misinformation.