Coronavirus row breaks out between No10 and health officials as ‘UK medics are blocked from accessing an EU pandemic warning system over fears it could harm Britain in post-Brexit trade talks’
- Health officials wanted to stay in the EU Early Warning and Response System
- But Downing Street accused of vetoing access to the online hub of medics
- Claim came as Boris Johnson vowed to ‘stop at nothing’ to combat Coronavirus
Downing Street has been accused of vetoing UK access to an EU pandemic early warning system over fears it could harm the Government’s post-Brexit trade strategy.
The Department of Health lobbied to remain a member of Brussels’ Early Warning and Response System (EWRS), an online hub bringing to together medical and political authorities across the bloc.
But Downing Street vetoed the move, despite the coronoavirus outbreak spreading around the globe, the Telegraph reported.
It said that there were fears that any attempt to remain aligned to an EU institution would hinder efforts to get a Canada-style free trade agreement with Brussels.
The Government is seeking a deal which allows the UK to diverge away from EU rules and regulations and is threatening to walk away from talks – which start today – as early as June if it does not get its way.
The claim came as Boris Johnson vowed to ‘stop at nothing’ to combat Coronavirus as he chairs an emergency Cobra meeting on the mounting crisis.
The claim came as Boris Johnson vowed to ‘stop at nothing’ to combat Coronavirus as he chairs an emergency Cobra meeting including Health Secretary Matt Hancock (centre, today)
Boris Johnson (pictured yesterday) will take charge of the Government response to the coronavirus outbreak today after claims he was acting like a ‘part-time Prime Minister’
A source told The Telegraph: ‘The Department of Health pitched for continued access to the EWRS to be an objective of the negotiations, but it was blocked because they didn’t want to be accused of seeking more than the basic Canada deal.’
This morning European Commission president Ursula Von Der Leyen said the risk level in the EU had risen from moderate to high.
Fears for scores of cancer patients at an NHS hospital in Hertfordshire were sparked this morning after a clinician was revealed as one of the 13 latest coronavirus cases in the UK.
More than a half a dozen members of staff at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Northwood have been forced to self-isolate and are waiting to hear if they have caught the killer virus, MailOnline understands.
The PM is finally taking personal charge of the response to the Covid-19 threat, after the number of people infected in the UK climbed to 36 over the weekend.
Mr Johnson will warn ministers that the virus will present a ‘significant challenge’ to the country as he finalises a new ‘battle plan’ by the Government.
A healthcare worker at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in Hertfordshire is one of the 13 latest coronavirus cases in the UK, it emerged this morning
Scotland declared its first case, while 12 new patients were diagnosed in England on Sunday, when the Health Secretary admitted it was ‘inevitable’ coronavirus would continue to spread.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has refused to rule out following China’s lead in shutting down cities if the Covid-19 outbreak escalates.
Meanwhile, Trade Secretary Liz Truss suggested the government plans to appoint a single minister to coordinate the UK action.