The DA’s Gauteng Health Spokesman Jack Bloom said on Tuesday he was appealing his suspension from the provincial legislature to defend public representatives’ free speech.

Bloom was suspended for five days last month after he refused to apologise to former health MEC Brian Hlongwa after accusing him of corruption.

An investigation by the Ethics and Privileges Committee ruled against Bloom.

Bloom said he wasappealing the findings of that investigation as well.

“It is being appealed because it is a blow against free speech for public representatives in their quest to expose corruption,” Bloom said.