MP Sir Desmond Swayne says NHS and care staff should not be sacked for refusing vaccine

The Conservative MP intervened after Boris Johnson announced the imminent end of Plan B measures to fight the coronavirus.

Sir Desmond has previously described mask mandates as a “monstrous imposition” and said they require people to "go about like Darth Vader" but said he supports vaccination.

• 'I don't know what I'm being asked to apologise for' says MP Sir Desmond Swayne

He said he welcomed “wholeheartedly” Boris Johnson’s announcement.

He asked the prime minister “to review again the need to sack domiciliary care workers and NHS workers”. He called on the government to examine the evidence that such workers posed a risk to those they are caring for “when our belief is that they won’t, any more than the unvaccinated”.

• Tory MP says wearing face masks in shops is a 'monstrous imposition'

Mr Johnson replied: “I think that the evidence is clear that health care professionals should get vaccinated. “

Health and care workers are currently under the threat of dismissal unless they have a Covid vaccine.