LBC drops Maajid Nawaz over anti-vaccine tweets

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 18h

Maajid Nawaz is dropped by LBC with immediate effect after a series of tweets relating to the coronavirus vaccine.

Maajid Nawaz has been dropped by LBC over a series of tweets relating to the coronavirus vaccine.

The 44-year-old, who has presented a weekend show on the station for more than five years, took both doses of the initial vaccine but has been critical of the booster dose, vowing not to receive it "in solidarity with the unvaccinated".

One of his tweets had read: "What we do know already, backed up by much academic research, is that MASS-VACCINATION DURING A PANDEMIC, with a jab that has not been studied for long-term side effects, could be doing more harm than good."

Nawaz is also named as a signatory to an open letter - aimed at the FBI and other intelligence agencies a year ago - suggesting the possibility that coronavirus could be a "global fraud" deliberately orchestrated by the Chinese Communist Party in an attempt to disrupt the established world order.

Iain Dale, a veteran presenter on LBC, had been vocal about Nawaz's stance on the booster, tweeting: "In 11 years on LBC I have never publicly called out a fellow presenter. But I can't stand by while this sort of irresponsible and dangerous propaganda is spread by someone who ought to know better."

Confirming on Friday that Nawaz had been dropped, LBC said in a statement: "Maajid Nawaz's contract with LBC is up very shortly and following discussions with him, Maajid will no longer present a show on LBC with immediate effect. We thank Maajid for the contribution he has made to LBC and wish him well."

Nawaz replied to the statement on Twitter, revealing that his contract was not due to expire until April and he "did not quit". He asked his 318,000 followers to subscribe to him on the paid blog site Substack, adding: "i refuse to go quietly into the night.... i'll post there soon but forgive the basic set up for now, I have a wife & child to support and my show was our family's only source of income."

Michelle Dewberry, who worked with Nawaz on Sky News debate show The Pledge, tweeted her support, saying: "@MaajidNawaz is a fantastic broadcaster. His is the only show, on any platform, that frequently makes me down tools and listen, really listen. A man of integrity and one I have huge respect for. Someone I am proud to call a friend."

Andrew Pierce will temporarily fill Nawaz's weekend slot until a permanent replacement is found.