Thread by @paulwaugh

Here is the Q&A between the Lobby + the PM’s spokesman on
1 @MattHancock saying Brexit was the reason the UK was the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer vaccine.
2 @AlokSharma_RDG saying today was 'the day the UK led humanity’s charge' against Covid

Read n weep:

Q “There’s lots of interest in Matt Hancock’s claim that it was sort of ‘Brexit wot won it’ for us. Is that the PM’s view as well, we are first because of Brexit?”

A “I think the important point is that we are the first country in the world to approve this vaccine + that’s thanks to the hard work of the MHRA + obviously special thanks needs to go to those who took part in these trials and who have worked tirelessly in producing the vaccine

“I would also point you to what Dr June Raine said earlier today, that the MHRA is globally recognised for requiring the highest standards, for quality, safety on medicines regulation, the public should be sure that the vaccine is safe for use.”

Q “June Raine of the MHRA said it was nothing to do with Brexit, that actually this whole process was done under EU law that runs to the end of the year. Was the health secretary wrong tto suggest that Brexit was an important factor here?”

A “As I said, it’s clear we are the first country in the world to approve this vaccine and it's obviously incredibly positive news that from next week that we will start to be able to distribute it. We'll make sure that the most clinically vulnerable are the first to receive it.”

Q “Colleagues are noting that you’re not endorsing what Matt Hancock said regarding Brexit’s role in this. Do you want to have a third go at it or are we right to make that conclusion?”

A “As I said, the important point is that we are clearly the first country in the world to approve the vaccine, it's obviously a very positive move forward in terms of the pandemic. And we are ready to start giving it to people from next week.”

Q “On a similar theme, Alok Sharma said this morning that the UK has led humanity’s charge on this issue, but the vaccine has been developed by German and American scientists, hasn’t it? In what way are we leading the charge?”

A “You've seen the UK play a v important role in terms of stating the case to ensure developed countries also hv access to the vaccine where possible + the amount of investment we put in, in terms of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. I believe that’s what he will be referring to”

Q “So, he’s referring to the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine in a tweet about an announcement about a different vaccine?” [you can almost hear @JasonGroves1's eyebrow raise]

A “Apologies, what I meant by that was he was referring to the role the UK has played across the board when it comes to the pandemic...

“You will remember that it was one of our trials that found that dexamethasone was a treatment that was effective in terms of people suffering from the virus. He was referring broadly to the role we played across the board in terms of the pandemic.”

Just imagine seeing all of that, live on TV one day folks..