The UK chancellor says there is “no truth” to claims that England is getting priority over Scotland when it comes to the distribution of life-saving equipment vital to the fight against Covid-19.
Rishi Sunak was speaking at a press briefing at Number 10 Downing Street on Tuesday evening following reports that firms were being asked to restrict supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) north of the border.
He added the problem had “a really serious impact” on Scottish care homes.
Earlier on Tuesday First minister Nicola Sturgeon said the Scottish Government would investigate the allegations – just hours after the country’s own clinical director Professor Jason Leitch said the claims were “rubbish” on Good Morning Scotland.
Mr Sunak said: “I think if you look at what the National Clinical Director for Scotland said earlier today. He said we have looked into it and we think it is rubbish.”
The chancellor added the UK Government is working “to make sure we have a four nations approach to all of this”.
He added: “There is no truth in those stories that those companies had been told to prioritise PPE equipment.
“Rather, the contrary is actually happening. There has been incredibly close collaboration between our four nations in this regard.”
Public Health England medical director Yvonne Doyle added said: “The four chief medical officers work very closely. Very coordinated. What we want is we want to make sure each country gets what it needs.
“Public Health England has not, in any sense, directed any of the devolved administrations to be at any disadvantage.
“We work really closely together.”
More to follow.
