Picture: Leslie Lawrenson

An ardent anti-vaxxer who filmed himself talking down Covid-19 has died of the virus.

Cambridge educated Leslie Lawrenson, 58, died at his home nine days after he posted his thoughts on Facebook.

The solicitor said the virus was “nothing to be afraid of”.

Mr Lawrenson, 58, who had no known illness, refused the vaccine because “he did not need it”.

He put his belief in his own immune system.

He posted two videos to the social media outlet and described his symptoms as “no worse than a cold.”

He added: “These are things we have to suffer, it’s part of living.”

As his illness became worse Mr Lawrenson struggled to breath.

Although he said he felt pai “everywhere” he didn’t feel he was in danger.

He added: “I didn’t get the point where I would have had to be hospitalised.

“Things did get worse, but I am glad I got Covid-19.”

Mr Lawrenson’s partner, Amanda Mitchell said:

“I feel incredibly foolish. Les died unnecessarily.

“Les made a terrible mistake and he’s paid the ultimate price for that.”

She said: “It was a daily thing that he said to us: ‘You don’t need to have it, you’ll be fine, just be careful’.

“Les was highly educated… so if he told me something, I tended to believe it.”