GETTY Dr Andrew Wakefield's documentary about autism backed by Robert De Niro

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Dr Andrew Wakefield, who directed the film Vaxxed: From Cover-up To Catastrophe, was struck off the British medical register in 2010 after an investigation ruled his research suggesting a link between the vaccine and autism was flawed. The film was due to be screened at the Tribeca Film Festival but was pulled after a backlash from scientists and other film-makers.

However last week Hollywood star de Niro spoke out in support of the film after revealing suspicions that his 18-year-old son Elliot’s autism might be linked to the measles, mumps and rubella treatment.

There’s more to this than meets the eye Robert DeNiro

Dr Wakefield, who continues his campaign against mandatory vaccination from his new home in Austin, Texas, claims that the documentary exposes the “fraud and cover-up” that has kept the truth about the dangers of the MMR vaccine suppressed. De Niro co-founded the Tribeca Film Festival and initially appeared to support the documentary being pulled.

PACIFICCOASTNEWS De Niro spoke last week about how his son Elliot’s autism might be linked to MMR treatment

But the Hollywood star than spoke in support of Dr Wakefield’s theory and urged scientists to reignite the debate. He said: “There’s more to this than meets the eye... as a parent of a child who has autism I am concerned.”

GETTY Dr Wakefield's claims his documentary exposes the 'fraud and cover-up' of the truth about MMR

GETTY The film was initially criticised uggesting a link between the vaccine and autism was flawed