The Health Secretary has been forced to deny the UK's failure to take part in an EU scheme to get vital ventilators for the coronavirus crisis was politically motivated.
The Foreign Office’s top civil servant Sir Simon McDonald claimed earlier that officials had briefed ministers on what schemes were still open to the UK after leaving the EU at the end January.
Sir Simon told the foreign affairs select committee on Monday that "it was a political decision" not to be involved.
However, the official later made a U-turn when he wrote to the committee to say he had been “incorrect” and reverted to the Government’s defence that the scheme was not initially joined because of a “communication problem” caused by missed emails.
Referring to Sir Simon's remarks, Matt Hancock said at today's Downing Street press briefing: “I haven’t seen that exchange but I have spoken to the Foreign Secretary and as far as I’m aware there was no political decision not to participate in that scheme.
“We did receive an invitation in the Department of Health and it was put up to me to be asked and we joined so we are now members of that scheme.
“However, as far as I know that scheme hasn’t a single item of PPE (personal protective equipment).”
Earlier, asked why the UK was not involved in EU procurement, Sir Simon had said: “We left the European Union on January 31.”
Pressed by Labour MP Chris Bryant, who said the UK had “every right” to participate in such schemes, he added: “All I can say is, as a matter of fact, we have not taken part.”
British officials at the UK Mission to the EU in Brussels “briefed ministers about what was available, what was on offer, and the decision is no”, he claimed.
On March 26, Downing Street claimed there had been a “mix up” which meant emails from the EU about four procurement schemes were not received.
A Government spokesman said that “owing to an initial communication problem, the UK did not receive an invitation in time to join in four joint procurements in response to the coronavirus pandemic”.
The lack of British involvement in the scheme led to claims that it was motivated by Brexiteer ideology in Mr Johnson’s administration – which was denied by Downing Street.
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Naomi Smith, of pro-EU campaign Best for Britain, said: “If it was a political decision not to join Europe-wide schemes to bulk-buy PPE and other essential medical equipment, then the Government prioritised its own image over the country’s health.
“That decision has been disastrous. Frontline workers deserve much better.
“We urge the Government to seek participation in future schemes as soon as possible, so we can source the medical supplies Britain’s hospitals and care homes desperately need.”
