Tory MP criticised for ‘lunatic’ support of homeopathy

Renowned scientist and broadcaster Robert Winston has attacked a British MP for his “lunatic” support of homeopathy.

Prof Winston described Tory David Tredinnick, a long-term supporter of alternative medicine, as having views which have no basis in fact. He said Tredinnick’s membership of the Commons Health Select Committee was “barmy”.

Prof Winston told Total Politics magazine: “I cannot believe David Tredinnick is on that committee. Let me say firmly: I think his views are lunatic. He is absolutely right and able to stand for Parliament and to represent a constituency, but views which have no basis in fact.

“It wouldn’t be so different from having an errant racist on an immigration committee. It’s barmy.”

Prof Winston, who is a Labour peer and sits in the House of Lords, also took aim at so-called “career politicians”, saying modern MPs do not have enough life experience outside Westminster. He said: “MPs today have a worrying lack of expertise in life.

“More and more people are coming into parliament expecting to be in a cabinet or a leader in five or six years.

“If you think about it, most people take 10 or 15 or 20 years to get the expertise to run a factory or a business — you don’t become a surgeon in 10 years.

“This is a worrisome system. I think this also partially explains the very poor regard the Upper House [the Lords] has.

“There is a complete lack of understanding of what we do.”