Boris Johnson has been accused of prioritising "Brexit over breathing" - after the UK failed to take part in an EU drive for extra ventilators, initially blaming the opt-out on Brexit.
The Prime Minister has been accused of putting Brexit ideology before demand for the essential, life-saving equipment.
Asked why the UK would not be taking part in the scheme the PM's official spokesman said: "Well, we are no longer members of the EU" and pointed towards other efforts to secure ventilators.
Pressed if the decision was related to Brexit ideology, the spokesman said: "No, as I say, this is an area where we're making our own efforts."
The government later said they hadn't opted out because of Brexit, but because they had not received the email inviting the UK to take part.
Lib Dem MP Layla Moran said she was "deeply shocked and concerned" about the decision not to participate, saying it was a "no-brainer" to help the NHS by working with other nations.
"I wrote to the Government a week ago urging them to put pragmatism above ideological considerations and urgently opt in to the EU joint procurement scheme," she said.
"Now I urge them to reconsider their devastating decision to not participate. We can't put Brexit over breathing - lives must come first."
It was announced a week ago that the European Commission was organising a joint procurement of ventilators and protective equipment.
The majority of EU member states are set to take part - and the UK had the option of being involved.
A European Commission spokesperson said the UK was "eligible to participate in these joint procedures" despite having left the EU in January.
