Participation in the scheme is seen as a test of the prime minister's pragmatism on Brexit and Covid-19.
Government clarifies position after critics accuse Boris Johnson of putting ‘Brexit over breathing’.
Boris Johnson blames ‘email error’ for not joining EU ventilator scheme - but Matt Hancock says he got it
26/03/2020
After initially claiming it did not join an EU scheme for ventilators because of Brexit, it now blames an ‘email error’ for missing the invitation.
Brussels says UK was briefed on bulk-buying plan and given ‘ample opportunity’ to join.
Britain did not take part in €1.5bn order for kit to protect against Covid-19 despite shortages in NHS.
Coronavirus: UK failed to join EU ventilator scheme because of 'communication confusion', Michael Gove says
29/03/2020
The Cabinet Office minister claimed the UK's omission from the scheme was a communication error, contradicting a Downing Street spokesman.
Coronavirus: UK’s failure to join EU ventilator scheme was ‘political decision’, not communication error, says senior civil servant
21/04/2020
Sir Simon McDonald says ministers were briefed on ‘what was on offer’ to UK.
Coronavirus: Boris Johnson blames administrative error for failure to sign up to EU equipment help scheme
26/03/2020
Downing Street has blamed an administrative error for the UK's failure to sign up to an emergency EU scheme to help procure vital medical equipment to fight coronavirus.
Government now wants close links with early warning system despite Brexit, source says.
Senior Foreign Office official tells MPs that ministers refused scheme because UK had left EU.
'The government walking away from this EU deal just smacks of ideological dogma'
Coronavirus: Brussels rubbishes UK government claim it missed EU ventilator scheme due to 'communications problem'
27/03/2020
‘Member states and the UK had the opportunity to signal their interest to participate in any joint procurements,’ says EU spokesperson