SDLP leader and Foyle MP Colum Eastwood
Giving evidence to a Westminster Committee today, Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office, said in response to questioning about the PPE Procurement Scheme, ‘it was a political decision. The mission briefed ministers about what was available, what was on offer, and the decision is known.’
This comes amid reports that PPE is being shipped off these islands because repeated attempts to offer support from suppliers were ‘ignored’ by the British Government.
Said the Foyle MP: “Doctors and nurses are selflessly putting their lives at risk on the frontline of this crisis to save others and prevent widespread infection and death.
“It is the most grievous dereliction of duty that they have not been provided with a comprehensive supply of the equipment needed to protect them from COVID-19.
“We have accepted the problems with supply and the challenges of procuring sought-after equipment in a global market.
“But the twin revelations today that the British Government made a ‘political decision’ not to be involved in a Europe-wide procurement scheme and that suppliers are shipping PPE off these islands because this Conservative Government ignored offers of support are absolutely damning.
“To ignore businesses offering PPE supplies and then ignore an offer to procure PPE as part of a larger trading block is unbelievable and will come as a shocking blow to those health workers putting themselves at risk.
“This government is actively amplifying that risk by failing to take action.
“Answers are urgently required. Why has the government ignored offers from PPE suppliers?
“Why was a political decision taken to reject the opportunity to join a larger EU-wide PPE procurement scheme?
“Why are we constantly hearing from frontline staff that they are not receiving the supplies of PPE they need?
“The British Government’s shameful paralysis on these issues only underlines the need for a bespoke strategy on this island. We must chart a different course.”
