COVID-19: EU 'recognise they made a mistake' in move to block vaccine exports, says Gove - Sky News

The EU "recognise they made a mistake" by invoking a Brexit deal clause to prevent coronavirus vaccine shipments entering the UK, Michael Gove has said.

The bloc has faced widespread criticism after its short-lived move to override part of the agreement on Northern Ireland over export controls.

And Minister for the Cabinet Office Mr Gove said the union now realised it was in the wrong - and promised the UK would "work with them to make sure their own problems can be tackled".

Live coronavirus updates from the UK and around the world

He said "we need a reset" of relations following the furore, which was sparked by a row between the EU and AstraZeneca over supply of its COVID-19 jab.

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Brussels had sought to halt vaccines entering the UK through "the back door" with checks at the border of the Republic and Northern Ireland, by triggering Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

It backtracked on the move - which a former European prime minister has suggested it should consider apologising for - after condemnation from London, Dublin and Belfast, with leaders all blindsided by the decision.

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And Mr Gove said: "I think the European Union recognise that they made a mistake in triggering Article 16, which would have meant the re-imposition of a border on the island of Ireland.

"But now the European Union have stepped back, and they've stepped back following clear conversations that the prime minister has had with the European Commission president and I've had with European Commission vice president."

DUP leader Arlene Foster had described Brussels' actions as "absolutely disgraceful" and an "incredible act of hostility".

Tory MP and former Northern Ireland secretary Theresa Villiers said she sympathised with Ms Foster over the episode.

"After all the self-righteousness the EU demonstrated about not having a hard border on the island of Ireland, then to invoke Article 16 just 29 days after the protocol came into effect seems drastic and, quite frankly, unjustified," she told Sky News.

EU officials say they have asked AstraZeneca to send some doses manufactured in the UK to Europe to make up the shortfall, although the firm has said its contract with the UK prevented this.

The European Commission also announced it was setting up controls on coronavirus vaccine supplies from the EU to outside the bloc, while insisting it was not a ban.

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Arlene Foster responds to the EU introducing controls to prevent vaccines exports from the bloc to Northern Ireland

But despite speculation the row could cause a vaccine shortfall in Britain, Mr Gove suggested the government would not now be moving to order that second Pfizer jabs be administered sooner.

"We have assurances that the supply… that we have paid for is going to be delivered," he said.

"That's why we are carrying on with our programme."

He continued: "The prime minister was very clear, we've entered into contractual arrangements with AstraZeneca and Pfizer and we expect those arrangements to be honoured.

"And [European Commission] President von der Leyen was clear that she understood exactly the UK Government's position, so we expect that those contracts will be honoured, we expect that vaccines will continue to be supplied.

"The European Union know that and of course we'll work with them in order to make sure that their own problems can be tackled."

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He said the UK did not now feel it had the upper hand in its relationship with Brussels.

"No, we want to work with our friends and neighbours in the European Union," he said.

"We recognise some the difficulties and pressures that they face. Now we can move on and we can ensure that the issues which the people of Northern Ireland are legitimately concerned about can be addressed."

He said he had spoken to European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic about the issue.

"We've both agreed that we need a reset, that we need to put the people of Northern Ireland first," he said.

Mr Sefcovic later said in a statement posted on Twitter: "Our shared priority is making sure the Protocol works for the people of Northern Ireland, protecting gains of the peace process and avoiding disruption to everyday lives.

"Jointly committed to redoubling our efforts to address outstanding issues."

Finland's former prime minister, Alexander Stubb, told Sky News he was shocked by the EU's decision to trigger the clause and that the bloc should consider apologising.

"At first I didn't believe it because I think it slaps in the face every principle that the Europeans stand for, including the free movement of goods," he said.

"I thought it was a mistake, and obviously it was a mistake, but it took a little too long to retract it... I think they should even think about apologising."

And former permanent secretary at the now disbanded Brexit department Philip Rycroft told Sky News: "In my view it was wholly disproportionate to what they were seeking to achieve. It was unnecessary.

"It bears all the hallmarks of a bureaucracy that is under huge pressure, action before it was thinking straight... and basically getting it horribly wrong."

French President Emmanuel Macron, meanwhile, backed the move to impose vaccine controls as he raised questions about a lack of doses being delivered.

He said: "It should be controlled because there is questionable behaviour and we will be receiving fewer deliveries that do not honour the contractual engagements agreed."

Mr Macron has faced criticism for seeking to cast doubt on the effectiveness of the AstraZeneca jab in the over-65s while demanding supplies of the vaccine.

His comments have been dismissed as "demand management".

Over three nights, Sky News will host a series of special programmes examining the UK's response to the pandemic.

Watch COVID Crisis: Learning the Lessons at 8pm on 9, 10 and 11 February.

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2021-01-30 18:45:00Z
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COVID-19: EU 'recognise they made a mistake' in move to block vaccine exports, says Gove - Sky News

The EU "recognise they made a mistake" by invoking a Brexit deal clause to prevent coronavirus vaccine shipments entering the UK, Michael Gove has said.

The bloc has faced widespread criticism after its short-lived move to override part of the agreement on Northern Ireland over export controls.

And Minister for the Cabinet Office Mr Gove said the union now realised it was in the wrong - and promised the UK would "work with them to make sure their own problems can be tackled".

Live coronavirus updates from the UK and around the world

He said "we need a reset" of relations following the furore, which was sparked by a row between the EU and AstraZeneca over supply of its COVID-19 jab.

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Brussels had sought to halt vaccines entering the UK through "the back door" with checks at the border of the Republic and Northern Ireland, by triggering Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

It backtracked on the move - which a former European prime minister has suggested it should consider apologising for - after condemnation from London, Dublin and Belfast, with leaders all blindsided by the decision.

More from Covid

And Mr Gove said: "I think the European Union recognise that they made a mistake in triggering Article 16, which would have meant the re-imposition of a border on the island of Ireland.

"But now the European Union have stepped back, and they've stepped back following clear conversations that the prime minister has had with the European Commission president and I've had with European Commission vice president."

DUP leader Arlene Foster had described Brussels' actions as "absolutely disgraceful" and an "incredible act of hostility".

EU officials say they have asked AstraZeneca to send some doses manufactured in the UK to Europe to make up the shortfall, although the firm has said its contract with the UK prevented this.

The European Commission also announced it was setting up controls on coronavirus vaccine supplies from the EU to outside the bloc, while insisting it was not a ban.

But despite speculation the row could cause a vaccine shortfall in Britain, Mr Gove suggested the government would not now be moving to order second Pfizer jabs were administered sooner.

"We have assurances that the supply… that we have paid for is going to be delivered," he said.

"That's why we are carrying on with our programme."

He continued: "The prime minister was very clear, we've entered into contractual arrangements with AstraZeneca and Pfizer and we expect those arrangements to be honoured.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Arlene Foster responds to the EU introducing controls to prevent vaccines exports from the bloc to Northern Ireland

"And [European Commission] President von der Leyen was clear that she understood exactly the UK Government's position, so we expect that those contracts will be honoured, we expect that vaccines will continue to be supplied."

"The European Union know that and of course we'll work with them in order to make sure that their own problems can be tackled."

He said the UK did not now feel it had the upper hand in its relationship with Brussels.

"No, we want to work with our friends and neighbours in the European Union," he said.

"We recognise some the difficulties and pressures that they face. Now we can move on and we can ensure that the issues which the people of Northern Ireland are legitimately concerned about can be addressed."

Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

He said he had spoken to European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic about the issue.

"We've both agreed that we need a reset, that we need to put the people of Northern Ireland first," he said.

Mr Sefcovic later said in a statement posted on Twitter: "Our shared priority is making sure the Protocol works for the people of Northern Ireland, protecting gains of the peace process and avoiding disruption to everyday lives.

"Jointly committed to redoubling our efforts to address outstanding issues."

Finland's former prime minister, Alexander Stubb, told Sky News he was shocked by the EU's decision to trigger the clause and that the bloc should consider apologising.

"At first I didn't believe it because I think it slaps in the face every principle that the Europeans stand for, including the free movement of goods," he said.

"I thought it was a mistake, and obviously it was a mistake, but it took a little too long to retract it... I think they should even think about apologising."

And former permanent secretary at the now disbanded Brexit department Philip Rycroft told Sky News: "In my view it was wholly disproportionate to what they were seeking to achieve. It was unnecessary.

"It bears all the hallmarks of a bureaucracy that is under huge pressure, action before it was thinking straight... and basically getting it horribly wrong."

French President Emmanuel Macron, meanwhile, backed the move to impose vaccine controls as he raised questions about a lack of doses being delivered.

He said: "It should be controlled because there is questionable behaviour and we will be receiving fewer deliveries that do not honour the contractual engagements agreed."

Mr Macron has faced criticism for seeking to cast doubt on the effectiveness of the AstraZeneca jab in the over-65s while demanding supplies of the vaccine.

His comments have been dismissed as "demand management".

Over three nights, Sky News will host a series of special programmes examining the UK's response to the pandemic.

Watch COVID Crisis: Learning the Lessons at 8pm on 9, 10 and 11 February.

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2021-01-30 16:37:38Z
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COVID-19: EU 'recognise they made a mistake' in move to block vaccine exports, says Gove - Sky News

The EU "recognise they made a mistake" by invoking a Brexit deal clause to prevent coronavirus vaccine shipments entering the UK, Michael Gove has said.

The bloc has faced widespread criticism after its short-lived move to override part of the agreement on Northern Ireland over export controls.

And Minister for the Cabinet Office Mr Gove said the union now realised it was in the wrong - and promised the UK would "work with them to make sure their own problems can be tackled".

Live coronavirus updates from the UK and around the world

He said "we need a reset" of relations following the furore, which was sparked by a row between the EU and AstraZeneca over supply of its COVID-19 jab.

Advertisement

Brussels had sought to halt vaccines entering the UK through "the back door" with checks at the border of the Republic and Northern Ireland, by triggering Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

It backtracked on the move after condemnation from London, Dublin and Belfast, with leaders all blindsided by the decision.

More from Covid

And Mr Gove said: "I think the European Union recognise that they made a mistake in triggering Article 16, which would have meant the re-imposition of a border on the island of Ireland.

"But now the European Union have stepped back, and they've stepped back following clear conversations that the prime minister has had with the European Commission president and I've had with European Commission vice president."

DUP leader Arlene Foster had described Brussels' actions as "absolutely disgraceful" and an "incredible act of hostility".

EU officials say they have asked AstraZeneca to send some doses manufactured in the UK to Europe to make up the shortfall, although the firm has said its contract with the UK prevented this.

The European Commission also announced it was setting up controls on coronavirus vaccine supplies from the EU to outside the bloc, while insisting it was not a ban.

But despite speculation the row could cause a vaccine shortfall in Britain, Mr Gove suggested the government would not now be moving to order second Pfizer jabs were administered sooner.

"We have assurances that the supply… that we have paid for is going to be delivered," he said.

"That's why we are carrying on with our programme."

He continued: "The prime minister was very clear, we've entered into contractual arrangements with AstraZeneca and Pfizer and we expect those arrangements to be honoured.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Arlene Foster responds to the EU introducing controls to prevent vaccines exports from the bloc to Northern Ireland

"And [European Commission] President von der Leyen was clear that she understood exactly the UK Government's position, so we expect that those contracts will be honoured, we expect that vaccines will continue to be supplied."

"The European Union know that and of course we'll work with them in order to make sure that their own problems can be tackled."

He said the UK did not now feel it had the upper hand in its relationship with Brussels.

"No, we want to work with our friends and neighbours in the European Union," he said.

"We recognise some the difficulties and pressures that they face. Now we can move on and we can ensure that the issues which the people of Northern Ireland are legitimately concerned about can be addressed."

Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

He said he had spoken to European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic about the issue.

"We've both agreed that we need a reset, that we need to put the people of Northern Ireland first," he said.

Finland's former prime minister, Alexander Stubb, told Sky News he was shocked by the EU's decision to trigger the clause.

"At first I didn't believe it because I think it slaps in the face every principle that the Europeans stand for, including the free movement of goods," he said.

"I thought it was a mistake, and obviously it was a mistake, but it took a little too long to retract it."

French President Emmanuel Macron, meanwhile, backed the move to impose vaccine controls as he raised questions about a lack of doses being delivered.

He said: "It should be controlled because there is questionable behaviour and we will be receiving fewer deliveries that do not honour the contractual engagements agreed."

Mr Macron has faced criticism for seeking to cast doubt on the effectiveness of the AstraZeneca jab in the over-65s while demanding supplies of the vaccine.

His comments have been dismissed as "demand management".

Over three nights, Sky News will host a series of special programmes examining the UK's response to the pandemic.

Watch COVID Crisis: Learning the Lessons at 8pm on 9, 10 and 11 February.

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2021-01-30 16:20:42Z
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Coronavirus UK: 'Exercise rules 'could be relaxed in March' - Metro.co.uk

The Prime Minister thinks easing exercise rules will help people’s mental health (Picture: Getty Images/AP)

Exercise rules could be relaxed too if schools reopen in March – but pubs are likely to stay closed until at least May, according to reports.

Boris Johnson has asked officials to look at ways the Government could ease rules on exercise to help Brits who are struggling with their mental health during lockdown.

Restrictions currently allow one person to meet with one other individual from a different household for exercise.

Ministers are considering allowing people the freedom to exercise with someone else more than once a day

Another option is to permit socially distanced exercise in groups of three or four, although ministers believe this would be difficult to police.

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Officials will also look at if people can play outdoor sports at a social distance, but a source told the MailOnline this is unlikely to happen. 

They said: ‘Schools will be first and everything else will have to take its place after that.

‘The only exception might be exercise. The PM keeps coming back to social contact – is there anything we could do to help a bit? 

‘Could we do a bit more on exercise to help with people’s mental health? That is being looked at.’

Currently, people are allowed to exercise once a day (Picture: AFP)

A couple walks past a closed pub in Camden, London (Picture: Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/REX)

The Prime Minister’s first priority is to open schools (Picture: Getty Images)

Boris Johnson pictured cycling in the Olympic Park (Picture: PA)

Non-essential shops, gyms and hairdressers could open in April but pubs, restaurants, bars and cafes may have to wait until May, according to reports.

England’s third lockdown is said to have spurred an ‘unprecedented mental health crisis’.

Mental health charity Mind recorded 9,580 views on its pandemic support page on the day the Prime Minister announced the harsh restrictions. 

Full lockdown is set to continue until at least March 8, Mr Johnson said last week. 

In the week beginning February 22, a ‘road map’ to lead England out of lockdown will be published by a Cabinet Office task force. 

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. 

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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2021-01-30 15:26:00Z
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EU pledges vaccine controls will not hit UK supplies - Financial Times

Ursula von der Leyen has promised Boris Johnson that future EU controls on vaccines will not disrupt contracted supplies of the Belgian-made BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine to Britain.

The European Commission president, made the commitment to the prime minister in a tense Friday night call, which followed the Commission’s controversial plan — hastily abandoned — to impose emergency border controls on vaccines entering Northern Ireland from the EU.

Ms von der Leyen tweeted that the talks with Mr Johnson had been “constructive”, adding: “We agreed on the principle that there should not be restrictions on the export of vaccines by companies where they are fulfilling contractual responsibilities.”

Mr Johnson’s allies confirmed that this included the 40m doses that Pfizer is contracted to supply Britain from a plant in Belgium. The Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The dropping of the implied threat to Pfizer exports and the abandonment of the proposal to include Northern Ireland in new export controls has calmed tension between London and Brussels.

Mr Johnson has tried this week to avoid stoking tension and inflaming a vaccine war which he believes would harm both sides and hinder the global fight against Covid-19.

“The call was fine, hopefully that’s the end of it,” said one ally of the prime minister. “We don’t plan to dwell on it.”

But Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland’s first minister, on Saturday called on Mr Johnson to follow Brussels’ lead and override part of the Brexit agreement to ease the flow of goods between GB and NI.

Article 16 of the Northern Ireland protocol has a “safeguard” clause to override the agreement, which is intended to maintain an open border on the island of Ireland. It includes checks on GB/NI trade.

The European Commission said it would invoke Article 16 to justify its initial plan to impose vaccine export controls on Northern Ireland, even though the region remains part of the EU’s single market for goods.

It cited the risk of “serious societal difficulties” in the EU if the bloc was unable to deploy enough vaccines to its own citizens.

Julian Smith, former Northern Ireland secretary, said the EU had “pulled the emergency cord” without following the proper processes that had been agreed over years of negotiations.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the move came “without anywhere near the level of understanding of the Good Friday Agreement, of the sensitivities of the situation in Northern Ireland”.

“It was an almost Trumpian act — I’m very pleased that they’ve changed their minds,” he said.

The Commission has since republished its vaccine shipment control measures with the Article 16 proposals stripped out.

The export restrictions have drawn criticism from business groups including the International Chamber of Commerce, which has warned they could lead to retaliation from other countries and have a devastating impact on global vaccine supplies.

It has also emerged that Belgium, a key location for vaccine production in the EU, has notified the Commission of a draft health law that would give it new powers to curb medicines exports.

The proposed legislation would allow Belgian authorities to restrict or ban the shipment of critical medicinal products and active ingredients, in case of shortages or potential shortages.

A spokesperson for Frank Vandenbroucke, Belgium’s health minister, said the notification to the commission was not related to vaccine exports or uncertainties about jab supplies.

The draft law aimed to set up a “future legislative framework for managing pandemics more efficiently,” he added.

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2021-01-30 13:42:00Z
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European press puts boot into EU over efforts to introduce checks at Northern Ireland border - Daily Mail

'Von Der Leyen's unforgettable Brexit own goal!': European press puts the boot into EU leaders over their 'deporable' Covid vaccine bungling and attempt to introduce checks at Northern Ireland border

• Germany's Die Welt said EU had committed an 'unforgettable Brexit own goal'
• France's Le Monde editorial called the move to impose controls 'deplorable' 
• Move would have meant border controls between Ireland and Northern Ireland
• EU has now backed down over proposals, saying they will not be put into place 

By Harry Howard For Mailonline

Published: 12:37 GMT, 30 January 2021 | Updated: 12:45 GMT, 30 January 2021

European newspapers lashed out EU leaders on Saturday after the bloc tried to impose Covid vaccine controls on the Northern Ireland border.   

EU chiefs had been accused of an 'incredible act of hostility' after announcing controls on the export of jabs to the UK, including Northern Ireland.

In a move which would have effectively created a 'hard border' on the island of Ireland, EU officials had planned to override part of the Brexit trade agreement and demand checks of vaccines flowing from Europe into Northern Ireland. 

But in a major climb-down, hours after announcing the proposals, bloc leaders quickly reversed the decision and say they will now no longer go ahead with the controls.

On Saturday, the London correspondent for Germany's Die Welt paper savaged European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen, saying she had committed an 'unforgettable Brexit own goal'. 

France's Le Monde editorial called the move 'deplorable', adding that Von Der Leyen had 'fortunately' given up on the inflammatory border decision.

Ireland's papers also highlighted the fierce backlash against the EU's actions, with the Irish Times saying there had been a 'political uproar' and The Journal saying they had caused 'alarm across the political spectrum'.

European newspapers lashed out EU leaders on Saturday after the bloc tried to impose Covid vaccine controls on the Northern Ireland border. A leading correspondent for Germany's Die Welt paper savaged European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen, saying she had committed an 'unforgettable Brexit own goal'

France's Le Monde editorial called the move 'deplorable', adding that Von Der Leyen had 'fortunately' given up on the inflammatory border decision

Die Welt's Stefanie Bolzen wrote that Von Der Leyen was 'undermining the Union's credibility with her actions'. 

She claimed that the 'Anglophile' EU chief had undermined good relations with the UK in an attempt to 'distract from her own mistakes'. 

What is Article 16 and why has the EU invoked it? 

Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol allows either the EU or the UK to override part of the Brexit trade agreement in relation to border controls in Northern Ireland.

The protocol itself was designed to avoid a re-emergence of a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. 

But in the deal, both parties agreed to a get-out clause, which could be used if the protocol was thought to be causing 'serious economic, societal or environmental difficulties'.  

However the EU has now invoked the clause, to put measures on vaccines coming from the EU to Northern Ireland.

The move is being introduced amid a huge row between the UK and EU over vaccines supplies, with Brussels accusing the UK of 'hijacking doses'.

The row started after Oxford vaccine maker AstraZeneca announced it would not be able to supply as many vaccines as it had first hoped to the EU by Spring.

The EU has since unveiled plans for an export ban which could stop 3.5million Pfizer vaccines - made in Belgium - from being exported to the UK.

The aim of this move will be to prevent the possibility of the UK bringing vaccines into Northern Ireland 'through the backdoor', by using the controls-free border to bring in vaccines from the EU. 

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Bolzen also branded the move to invoke article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol as 'absurd', saying that EU leaders had 'looked forward to cornering Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

She noted how the EU had only months ago cried 'murder' over clauses in the UK's Internal Market Bill which would have allowed the UK to override the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.  

Bolzen also highlighted how the EU had previously 'closed ranks' around the Irish border issue, which Von Der Leyen seemed to have 'completely forgotten' in her 'Corona panic'. 

France's Le Monde was similarly scathing of the EU's actions. 

In its editorial, the paper claimed there was 'panic' among EU leaders over its growing issue with vaccines supply and its row with Astra Zeneca. 

It said that Von Der Leyen 'fortunately' gave up on the move to invoke Article 16, adding that the EU was 'ill-equipped' to handle the coronavirus pandemic.  

'It is deplorable that political interests and geopolitical rivalries take precedence over the issue that no one should lose sight of: vaccinating as many people as possible, in Europe and in the rest of the world,' they added.

The Irish Times highlighted in a news article how there was a 'deepening row' over the plans to impose export controls on vaccines.

Its front page said Brussels was rowing back on the plan after what it described as 'political uproar'.

Fellow Irish paper The Journal also noted how the EU's intention to trigger Article 16 had caused 'alarm across the political spectrum'.       

Ireland's Taoiseach Micheal Martin last night raised objections to EU leaders, while Michel Barnier, who was the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, said he was calling for 'co-operation' over vaccines between the UK and Brussels.

And in another strongly-worded statement, Boris Johnson last night said he had 'grave concerns' over the proposals and demanded the EU 'urgently clarify its intentions'. 

But in a statement released late last night, the European Commission said: 'To tackle the current lack of transparency of vaccine exports outside the EU, the Commission is putting in place a measure requiring that such exports are subject to an authorisation by Member States.

'In the process of finalisation of this measure, the Commission will ensure that the Ireland / Northern Ireland Protocol is unaffected. The Commission is not triggering the safeguard clause.

'Should transits of vaccines and active substances toward third countries be abused to circumvent the effects of the authorisation system, the EU will consider using all the instruments at its disposal.

Die Welt's Stefanie Bolzen wrote that Von Der Leyen was 'undermining the Union's credibility with her actions'

'In the process of finalising the document, the commission will also be fine-tuning the decision-making process under the implementing regulation.'

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said the EU U-turn was 'welcome' but added 'lessons should be learned'.

In a statement on Twitter, he said: 'Welcome news, but lessons should be learned; the Protocol is not something to be tampered with lightly, it's an essential, hard won compromise, protecting peace & trade for many.'

The reversal came after Brussels had earlier rode roughshod over the Brexit agreement by imposing controls on the export of jabs to this country, including Northern Ireland. 

The bloc unilaterally invoked emergency powers in the withdrawal deal to stop Northern Ireland being used as a 'back door' for the export of jabs into the rest of the UK. 

The move came after the EU publicly rowed with AstraZeneca over its delivery contract, unveiled plans to potentially block millions of jabs from being exported to Britain and was even reported to be considering seizing control of production sites.  

The Irish Times highlighted in a news article how there was a 'deepening row' over the plans to impose export controls on vaccines

The plans to invoke article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol provoked a particular fury from UK politicians. 

It was slammed by the country's First Minister, Arlene Foster, who accused the EU of an 'incredible act of hostility'.

The furious First Minister said in a statement: 'This is an incredible act of hostility. The European Union has once again shown it is prepared to use Northern Ireland when it suits their interests but in the most despicable manner - over the provision of a vaccine which is designed to save lives.

'At the first opportunity the EU has placed a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland over the supply chain of the Coronavirus vaccine.' 

Ms Foster also called for Boris Johnson to step in and use 'robust measures' to ensure UK interests are put first.

Fellow Irish paper The Journal also noted how the EU's intention to trigger Article 16 had caused 'alarm across the political spectrum'.

Irish Premier Micheal Martin also raised concerns. An government spokesperson said: 'We are aware of the issue and the Taoiseach is currently in discussions with European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen to express our concerns.' 

A Number 10 spokesperson last night said Mr Johnson had spoken to Mr Martin and expressed his 'concern' about the EU's power-play.

Mr Johnson also demanded that the EU 'urgently clarify its intentions' and 'what steps it plans to take to ensure its own commitments with regards to Northern Ireland are fully honoured'. 

A No 10 spokesman added: 'The UK has legally-binding agreements with vaccine suppliers and it would not expect the EU, as a friend and ally, to do anything to disrupt the fulfilment of these contracts.'  

Michael Gove lodged an angry protest with the vice-president of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, while Labour also condemned the move, with Northern Ireland spokesman Louise Haigh urging Brussels to reverse a 'deeply destabilising' decision.

Meanwhile, in an interview with The Times, Michel Barnier, who was the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, said he was calling for 'co-operation' between Brussels and the UK over the supply of vaccines across Europe.

Mr Barnier said: 'We are facing an extraordinarily serious crisis, which is creating a lot of suffering, which is causing a lot of deaths in the UK, in France, in Germany, everywhere.

'And I believe we must face this crisis with responsibility, certainly not with the spirit of oneupmanship or unhealthy competition. I recommend preserving the spirit of co-operation between us.' 

It comes after the EU's vaccine war entered a dangerous new phase last night as the bloc introduced rules that will allow it to block life-saving jabs getting to Britain and European politicians accused the UK of 'hijacking' doses. 

The new controls, which will come into effect on Saturday and last until March, allow the EU to keep track of all vaccines produced on the continent and block exports to certain countries - including the UK, which is expecting to take delivery of another 3.5million Pfizer BioNTech jabs from Belgium in the coming weeks.

The rules also back-date to three months ago, giving Brussels the ability to snoop on past vaccine shipments after Brussels accused AstraZeneca of sending doses meant for Europe to Britain.

Health minister Stella Kyriakides insisted that the 'transparency mechanism' is not intended to target any country, even as Croatia's PM branded the UK 'hijackers' while the EU's justice commissioner said Britain had started a 'war'.      

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2021-01-30 12:37:00Z
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EU gives itself power to block Covid vaccine exports - Guardian News

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1. EU gives itself power to block Covid vaccine exports  Guardian News
2. Newspaper headlines: 'EU vaccine war explodes', and Macron 'attacks' Oxford jab  BBC News
3. EMA approves AstraZeneca vaccine in EU: None are 'a magic wand' but provide more options | Covid-19  The Telegraph
4. EU leaders are indulging in vaccine rows the continent cannot afford  Telegraph.co.uk
5. Lawyers disagree over AstraZeneca's duty to supply vaccines to EU  The Guardian
6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2021-01-30 10:47:37Z
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