Comments made by a Reform UK candidate about COVID-19 have angered members of the care community and raised concerns from the opposition.
Asa Downing will be running for the Suffolk County councillor position in the Gipping Valley Division in the upcoming May elections.
County councillors are responsible for the provision of healthcare and adult social care, as well as promoting healthy lifestyles, protecting health, and preventing illness.
However, Mr Downing's comments on Facebook and X during the pandemic have now come under the spotlight, particularly those disputing the severity of the disease.
In one post in October 2020, he said: "Stop testing everyone".
In another on September 2020 he said: "I'm amazed hearing how many people are stood queueing, some for hours apparently, waiting to be tested for the deadly disease. With the flu you can't even get out of bed."
In November 2020 he added: "Why do I need a vaccine for a 99.7% survival rate? Give it to those who need it or choose it and stop worrying about the rest of us!! #novaccine"
Mr Downing also posted that his wife was unable to get back into work in the care home sector due not having a jab and regularly reposted anti-vaccine memes.
Prima Fairburn-Dorai, former chair of the Suffolk Care Association, says she found the comments "really upsetting".
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She said: "What we had to live through was horrendous.
"People were dying all around us and something needed to be done.
"I am not happy that this is being downplayed as it was incredibly severe."
Mr Downing says that his comments reflected "common sceptical themes at the time" during an "unprecedented period with rapidly changing information and difficult personal decisions".
He added: "My focus was on the impact policies were having on individuals and workforce pressures, particularly in social care.
"My priority now is on what matters most to residents: strong local services, support for care provision, and delivering for our communities.
"I respect public health guidance and people’s right to make informed decisions."
Reform UK head office refused to comment on the posts, but leaders from other parties have weighed in on the issue.
Chris Chambers, the Conservative candidate for the Gipping Valley Division, said he was also "deeply concerned".
He said: "These posts show a pattern of promoting misinformation, amplifying divisive figures such as Tommy Robinson, and trivialising serious public health issues during a national crisis.
"Public service is a privilege, and it comes with a responsibility to lead with integrity, respect, and a commitment to facts.
"At a time when communities needed leadership and reassurance, these remarks fall well short of the standard people rightly expect from anyone seeking public office."
Meanwhile, Andrew Stringer, Green Party candidate and leader of the official opposition at the council, said he was also "disturbed" by the posts.
He said: "Reform opposing vaccination is consistent with their anti-science posture more generally, notably regarding the very real and current threat of climate change.
"We do not want to see their chaotic council leadership in Suffolk."
John Shreeve, chair of Suffolk Liberal Democrats, also said he was not surprised by the comments.
He said: "The news that the Reform candidate for Gipping Valley has a history of being a Covid vaccine denier or that he would prefer the leadership of Donald Trump comes as little surprise.
"After all, his party's leader Nigel Farage only recently preferred to visit Trump in Florida and with Trumps infamous suggestion that bleach might be a possible cure for Covid, a history of posts such as this are entirely consistent.
"Perhaps he might like to explain his views and substantiate them to all those bereaved families with hearts displayed on the wall of remembrance beside the Thames and opposite the Houses of Parliament?"
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