Matt Hancock has told the Court of Appeal that a libel claim brought against him by former MP Andrew Bridgen "should never have been brought". The ex-health secretary is appealing a High Court ruling that allowed the case to proceed to trial.
The dispute stems from a social media post on X (formerly Twitter) in January 2023. Mr Bridgen had shared an article about Covid-19 vaccine data, comparing the vaccines to the Holocaust. Mr Hancock responded by sharing a video of himself in the Commons, describing the comments as "disgusting and dangerous antisemitic, anti-vax, anti-scientific conspiracy theories".
Representing Mr Hancock, Aidan Eardley KC argued that the former minister was expressing his honest opinion. He also expressed concern that the case could be used to attack the Covid-19 vaccination scheme, and urged the court to consider whether the claim had a realistic prospect of success.
Christopher Newman, for Mr Bridgen, countered that the original tweet was not antisemitic given the use of the word "since". He said Mr Hancock was "simply wrong" in his contention that there is uncertainty over the definition of antisemitism.
The hearing before Lady Justice King, Lord Justice Warby and Lady Justice Whipple is due to conclude on Wednesday.
