Express & Star

LETTER: Ask nicely and UK will help neighbours

A reader discusses the vaccine and European relations.

Published
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

How shameful that European chief Ursula von der Leyen has threatened to block vaccines for Britain. She almost managed to impose a hard border in Ireland threatening to prevent vaccine jabs from reaching the UK.

Ms von der Leyen spoke of fears about the UK Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine, saying it had caused blood clots, frightening millions of poor people everywhere who were waiting to be vaccinated.

She later changed her mind, insisting the EU should get the bigger share of the Oxford Astra-Zeneca drug that she had previously rubbished. She was allegedly prepared to bend the law to force British based pharma giant Astra-Zeneca to hand over the vaccine formula saying ‘all options were on the table’.

No wonder these threats sent shock and anger through Downing Street.

This vaccine is from the hard work of the Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the British Government, together with their team of workers and scientists, who have managed to successfully vaccinate millions of people in this country. If the EU had wanted our vaccine so much they should have asked, instead of inventing these preposterous stories and putting people’s lives at risk.

Britain has always helped her neighbours and will continue to do so in the future. The Oxford Astra-Zeneca jab is being offered globally without profit.

The Europe Chief Ursula von der Leyen must remember Britain is no longer a member of the EU, she cannot dictate her terms to this country it will not be tolerated. If Ms von der Leyen wants Britain’s help she must go through the proper channels or simply ask very nicely.

I believe that many of the other EU countries are having second thoughts and may think that Britain has made the right decision by leaving the EU.

I know we have!

Jackie Lewis, Pattingham

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