Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, faced strong opposition during the latest episode of BBC’s Question Time as he disputed Donald Trump’s assertion linking autism to paracetamol use during pregnancy. The show, hosted by Fiona Bruce in Bedworth, Warwickshire, featured a panel comprising various political figures and activists.
The discussion initially revolved around digital ID cards before transitioning to Trump’s controversial statements on autism. A member of the audience raised a question about the responsibility of politicians in addressing unverified claims, specifically referencing Trump’s recent remarks.
Luke Evans, a former GP and Member of Parliament, emphasized the lack of scientific evidence supporting the alleged link between autism and paracetamol use during pregnancy. Richard Tice echoed this sentiment, expressing uncertainty about Trump’s statement and ultimately concluding that the former president was wrong.
As the debate unfolded, Munira Wilson criticized Trump’s claims as “dangerous scientific nonsense,” while Lisa Nandy labeled them as “dangerous nonsense.” Lisa also addressed a heckler who accused Tice of being a politician rather than a medical professional, defending her colleagues’ intentions to improve people’s lives through politics.
The program concluded with an announcement of the upcoming BBC Question Time episode scheduled for October 2 in Belfast.