Anti-vaccine GP Anne McCloskey – who likened Covid measures to Nazi genocide – suspended by health officials

Dr Anne McCloskey expressed concerns about young people being given the vaccine.

Among many remarks she had made online was: “Leave the children alone. They have nothing to gain and much to lose from these experimental gene treatments. We adults have a solemn duty to protect them.”

She had also shared ‘Infowars’ videos about a “New World Order”, and posted a photograph comparing what appeared to be a queue of people awaiting vaccines in modern-day Ireland to prisoners under fascist control in Auschwitz.

The Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) has ordered an investigation after receiving complaints about comments she has made.

On Tuesday, the HSCB confirmed it has suspended Dr McCloskey as a precautionary measures while it investigates.

“Suspension is not an automatic occurrence when undertaking an investigation but may be necessary where there are concerns regarding patient safety and in the public interest,” a spokesperson said.

“Dr McCloskey is not free to work for HSC organisations during her suspension.”

MORE FROM THE NEWS LETTER:

> Transformation of Belfast city centre takes next big step as whopping 724-room student block gets OK <

> The great homecoming: Estate agents see influx of buyers moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland <

> Cruise passengers baffled at being ‘held captive’ in Belfast <

> NI’s busiest A&E had to issue 46 ‘extreme pressure’ public warnings in 14 months <

> In pictures: NI Centenary parade takes place in Ballymena <

> Experts predict rising sea levels will flood much of Belfast by 2050 <

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers — and consequently the revenue we receive — we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Ben Lowry, acting editor