SNP MP Dr Philippa Whitford has hit out at Michael Gove for saying the UK Government procures personal protective equipment for all four nations.
Gove was asked on The Andrew Marr Show about personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages.
"Scotland and Wales seem to have enough PPE. Why is England failing when Scotland and Wales are not?" Gove was asked.
He responded: "I don't think that's quite right. It is the case that PPE is procured by the UK Government in order to help all four nations, all four parts, of the United Kingdom. So the personal protective equipment that is being used in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will have been sourced by the UK ambassador in Beijing in order to come here to those countries.
"Now it is the case that there has been a higher rate of infection in parts of England and in other parts of the United Kingdom but it's not the case you can set one part of the United Kingdom against another."
Dr Whitford, who previously worked as a breast surgeon, said Gove's statement was untrue, saying Scotland has had its own procurement system for decades.
Gove claimed on Marr - UK Gov procures ALL PPE for whole UK.
— Dr Philippa Whitford (@Dr_PhilippaW) April 19, 2020
Not true - While one stream, devolved Nations also procure directly. Scotland has had central procurement & delivery for years. In England, norm was Trusts procuring separately so had to set up whole system. #COVID19
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