Neil Oliver said during a six-minute rant on Sunday he would happily risk catching coronavirus as an expression of freedom. The TV presenter and former National Trust for Scotland president also compared those who refuse to comply with current guidelines to those who fought in World War II.
Opening his remarks, he said: “For me it’s all and only about freedom, for me without freedom there is no point in anything.”
He then drew a comparison between those who stood against the Nazis in World War II and those who do not abide by Covid guidelines, saying: “It was a minority of people, outgunned and shouted down by fellow citizens who felt deals might be struck with tyrants.”
Mr Oliver then added: “If your freedom means I might catch Covid from you, then so be it.
“If my freedom means you might catch Covid from me, then so be it. That’s honestly how I see it.
“For the sake of freedom, yours and mine together, I will cheerfully risk catching Covid. That is a chance one among many that I am prepared to take and happily.
“Life is not safe. Freedom is not safe. For the sake of freedom, yours and mine together all freedoms being of equal value, I will cheerfully risk much else besides.”
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However, others backed Mr Oliver for his comments, saying his rant was “essential”.
One said: “Neil you are the man who understands freedom
“It’s essential. It’s crucial. We salute you.”
Another added: “I agree with most of the sentiment.
“I do however personally feel like, take the f** vaccine, and then get on with life however you see fit.
“Mask no mask, but take the bloody vaccine!”
Mr Oliver said during his comments those who are shouted down for not taking the vaccine were living under “tyranny”.
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In July, Mr Oliver branding Covid lockdown’s as “the biggest single mistake in world history”.
In an interview with the Herald magazine, he said of lockdowns: “I think it’s been mishandled from very early on.
“I think it’s the biggest mistake in world history. I’m not suggesting evil or malicious intent. I just think it’s a mistake.
“I’m apolitical, but over the lockdown I have had opinions. I think it is the biggest single mistake in world history, and I’m just horrified by the damage that has been done.
“Whoever lockdown has saved, I think by an order of magnitude others have been hurt.”
August 2 saw 21,952 new cases and 24 deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test in the UK.
It marked the lowest number of daily infections since the end of June following the nation’s full exit from lockdown restrictions on July 19.
In the week ending July 28, the seven-day average for new cases was at 283.3 per 100,000 people.
In total, the UK has seen 5,902,354 cases and 129,743 deaths from the virus.
Another 21,266 first doses and 118,184 second doses of coronavirus vaccine were administered on Monday.
In total, 46,872,411 first doses and 38,464,025 second doses have been administered, equalling 88.6 percent and 72.7 percent of the population respectively.
