I love the idea that Boris is the only 1 who habitually lies. They all do.
I am sure that Boris would prefer to lie than tell the truth, even when it makes no real difference.
The cynic in me suggests the following:-
1. EU falling behind so pretend AZ vaccine not safe to buy time;
Or they were just concerned at the lack of data in respect of older people.
3. UK gets going, and manages to get a whole month ahead of schedule;
No argument.
5. Purely coincidentally (of course) as the EU finally follows its own experts, we do not receive a large AZ shipment for exactly 1 month
From India, stopped by the Indian Government and denied by Boris.
The UK and EU cannot politically be seen to be working together. But they are...
Your position is that all politicians around the world are telling the truth, and that Boris Johnson is unique as a lying politician. Good luck with that
I am not. I care less about politicians around the world than I do about our lying piece of sh1t of a Prime Minister. Two wrongs dont make a right. Are really trying to say that because other politicians lie it is ok for Boris to follow suit? I am not sure that any other politician in the world gets caught lying as much as Boris.
The UK and the EU cannot currently be seen to be giving ground. But behind the scenes various countries in the EU are facing a devastating 3rd wave.
And AZ are withholding supplies of vaccine.
AZ fund the Indian operation. You choose to believe Boris, who you believe to be a habitual liar, when he gets all woolly about the Indian delivery. At a time when deceiving a Parliament is looking fatal to the First Minister in Scotland.
How does Nicola Sturgeon get into this? Whether you like it or not, the Indian Government has restricted the supply of AZ vaccines to the UK. Boris has not only lied about this, he is very warm and fluffy towards the Indian Government. On the other hand he has demonised the EU for merely threatening to do exactly what the Indian Government has done. You seem to be in agreement with him. I think that the EU are quite right to threaten when AZ, are completely taking the pi55 out of them. They are 60 million doses short of the AZ vaccine, while the UK supply is uninterrupted. What do you think they should say? Perhaps ok fair enough Boris?
You believe the Indian position, that a massive 5 million vaccine order, had no date placed on it. And that a country of some 1.4 billion people, definitely needs 5 million vaccines but no more than that.
Unlike Boris, I believe the Indian position that they have made no secret of, which is that UK deliveries will be delayed, while they use the AZ vaccine in India. The EU just want AZ to honour deliveries that they have contracted to. We expect the EU to put up with a 60 million dose shortfall, believe that Boris the liar has clean hands in this, and continue to allow Pfizer to honour its obligations to the UK.
Whereas I believe they have been persuaded to say all this to save the careers of various EU (and to a lesser extent, UK) politicians.
Dont understand this bit. Who has been persuaded to say what? Boris said yesterday that the Indian vaccine was delayed by technical issues. Matt Hancock claimed that the supply of vaccine is always "lumpy", I suppose that explains everything. The Indians have made no secret of why they are breaking their contract with the UK, and it has nothing to do with technical issues.
I am no conspiracy theorist. But ask yourself this:-
1. Why did we have priority groups going down to age 50? 50-59s are much lower risk than the other 7 groups. Odd that that is the exact time the unexpected pause happens
Or they have just been let down by the Indians.
3. Why is it, when this is the biggest logistical operation for decades, that we managed to get a whole month ahead of schedule? Funny how that is the exact same time period as this delay
?
5. Why is there no mention of the amount of vaccines produced anywhere? You'd think that is vital info.
Because they would just be confirming that they have stitched the EU up.
I think my ideas are very clear. Not necessarily right, but clear.
I do appreciate that you steadfastly refuse to believe that there are any benefits (as opposed to the undoubted downsides) to Brexit. 3 million posts show that
You are happy to believe that, if 1 foreign politician says the opposite, than that is proof that Boris is lying.
Whereas I prefer to believe that all politicians lie unless proven otherwise.
Boris isn't a bigger liar than most politicians-the difference is that he is confident that the public can't see through him. And, rightly or wrongly, the election and opinion polls show that he is currently right.
I remember you saying that you have only recently become interested in politics. I've followed it for decades. Believe me, Boris is not unusual. Other than the harrumphs, and the hair.
Boris Johnson 'talking rubbish' over claim UK will inevitably be hit by Europe's third wave
Boris Johnson’s claim that a third wave of coronavirus will inevitably spread from Europe to the UK has been attacked by a scientist.
On Monday, the prime minister said a surge in COVID-19 case rates in mainland Europe will lead to an increase in infections in the UK. But Christina Pagel, a mathematician and professor of operational research at University College London, accused Johnson of “talking b******s”.
She tweeted: “It's cynical opportunism to blame any resurgence in England on the European wave. It is frankly absurd.”
Prof Pagel, a member of the Independent Sage group, added: “It is entirely on the government if we have another wave this summer – not the EU.”
While I'm in a ranty mood, let's look at the EU rules for buying vaccines.
It is not, as has been widely misreported, as simple as choosing to use the EU purchasing vehicle.
There are, as 1 would expect, various rules as part of that deal. The most important 1 is that any member state is not allowed to enter it's own separate deal with 1 who has a deal with the EU. So-no deals with Pfizer/AZ/Moderna. To ensure no conflicts of interest.
All the states have been let down by the EU. Various have gone to Russia/China for vaccines. 26 of the 27 have not been caught breaking the rules.
The exception, of course, is Germany. Placed a separate 30 million Pfizer order. And that is going to cause massive ructions within the EU.
Not with the EU Commission, of course. They've waved it through. But other nations are starting to see that there are different rules for bigger countries.
EU wants reciprocity with UK over AstraZeneca vaccine, says French minister
PARIS (Reuters) - French Europe Minister Clement Beaune said on Tuesday that the European Union wanted reciprocity with Britain over the supply of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said AstraZeneca could face a ban on exports for the EU of doses if it did not meet its delivery obligations to the bloc.
"We are telling AstraZeneca: we can understand you have production issues but there is no reason for Europe to be the adjustment variable," Beaune told France Info radio.
"We want to avoid that AstraZeneca doses produced in Europe go to Britain when we are not receiving anything. We want to make sure the reciprocity principle applies," the minister said.
Watch: EU to extend curbs on COVID-19 vaccine exports
"AstraZeneca says: I am experiencing delays, we say: mobilise your plants for us and if you don't, we will block exports to the UK. We will discuss that on Thursday and Friday at the European Council," he added.
French Junior Economy Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher told BFM television on Tuesday that it was up to AstraZeneca to act.
"We must find a solution so that AstraZeneca progressively returns to supply levels initially specified in their contracts. One can understand they face industrial hurdles but one cannot understand differences in treatment between various areas," she said.
"AstraZeneca has two large plants in Europe from which it can supply us and it has plants in other zones. It is up to them to propose an action plan," she added.
While I'm in a ranty mood, let's look at the EU rules for buying vaccines.
It is not, as has been widely misreported, as simple as choosing to use the EU purchasing vehicle.
There are, as 1 would expect, various rules as part of that deal. The most important 1 is that any member state is not allowed to enter it's own separate deal with 1 who has a deal with the EU. So-no deals with Pfizer/AZ/Moderna. To ensure no conflicts of interest.
All the states have been let down by the EU. Various have gone to Russia/China for vaccines. 26 of the 27 have not been caught breaking the rules.
The exception, of course, is Germany. Placed a separate 30 million Pfizer order. And that is going to cause massive ructions within the EU.
Not with the EU Commission, of course. They've waved it through. But other nations are starting to see that there are different rules for bigger countries.
Europe's trust in Britain has gone. We're now a problem, not a partner
On the Covid vaccine, compromise is possible. But relations are on a downward spiral and the damage will be lasting
Tory MPs say Brussels is lashing out in jealousy. Vaccination is something Boris Johnson’s government is doing well, and the EU is floundering. That has less to do with Brexit than is claimed by triumphant ministers, but as propaganda the point is irresistible: there is nothing else to trumpet as a benefit of detachment from the continent, and winning the vaccination race resonates with voters grateful for jabs.
UK politicians overestimate how much time is spent in Brussels thinking about Brexit. The peak of trauma and caring came immediately after the referendum. There was a phase of anxiety that the separatist impulse might be contagious. That passed when Westminster curled itself into a writhing ball, unable to digest the reality of what the electorate had ordered. No one who saw that from inside the EU fancied a portion of what Britain was having.
What comes across to Tory ministers as a vendetta is actually something much less attentive. It is being a “third country” – the legal designation of an external state whose needs are always subordinate to the collective interests of the bloc. At Brussels summits, Britain’s third-country status is more relevant than its G7 economy, its permanent seat on the UN security council and its nuclear arsenal. London isn’t used to thinking of itself as junior to Ljubljana in EU affairs, but that is what Brexit means.
Specifically, it is Johnson’s Brexit. He pulped the chapters in Theresa May’s deal that would have made good on her pledge of a “deep and special partnership”. The adjustment was more than tonal. It was an ideological choice with immediate consequences: rivalry over alignment, competition before cooperation. Those priorities are baked into Johnson’s trade deal. Diplomatic bridges were burned and back channels blocked to make a point about regulatory freedom.
Leavers always exaggerate the UK’s reach as a solo global trader, but the country’s disruptive potential as a commercial rival parked off the French coast is real enough. That is why Brussels drove such a hard bargain on single-market access. In terms of size, Britain is in the sour spot relative to the EU: too small to be an equal, too big to be a client; not powerful enough to assert its will in trade negotiations but hefty enough to cause trouble.
That is a blueprint for relations on a downward spiral, which neither side wants or knows how to avert. Johnson has called for a cooperative front against a third Covid wave. Many EU national leaders are not sold on the Commission’s threat of a vaccine export ban. Compromise on AstraZeneca is available. But in the longer term, the tensions are structural and hard to overcome when all reserves of trust are spent.
Europeans have learned to disregard what Johnson says and focus on what he does. If he were serious about a cooperative spirit he would not, for example, be refusing to apply the full terms of the withdrawal agreement in Northern Ireland. Reliable partners do not sign treaties with their fingers crossed. If the British prime minister valued respectful dialogue, he would not have refused full diplomatic status to the EU’s ambassador.
Most EU governments want a closer relationship with Britain. Some have economic motives. Others, notably eastern members with Russian sabres rattling at their borders, value the UK’s defence and security capabilities. But none will put relations with a third country – not even an old friend – ahead of internal EU relations.
And since there is no prospect of pro-Europeans staging a comeback at Westminster, the default setting is to treat Britain as a problem to be contained, not a partner to be consulted. Ministers resent that label because they see themselves as running a big country that matters, but the Tory benches are not stocked with people who would know how to begin rebuilding influence in Brussels.
Brexit was a closed chapter for many Europeans when Britain was still bickering over whether it should go ahead. There were bigger and more urgent challenges even before the pandemic made everything harder: internal tensions over budgets and fiscal transfers; moral quandaries over the rule of law in rogue members that are hollowing out their democracies; strategic dilemmas facing a new superpower rivalry between the US and China; migration control; the climate emergency.
Britain may yet claim a stake in many of those conversations, but it has forfeited its place at the table. That is a loss on both sides of the Channel. Many smaller EU members used to rely on the UK, as one of the bloc’s top three heavy-hitters, to make the case for financial prudence and respect for national differentiation. Britain was the pre-eminent non-eurozone member and an internal counterweight to federalising and centralising impulses. Removing that voice inevitably alters the character of the project.
British diplomats and officials were admired for bringing pragmatism and rational scepticism to conversations where there would otherwise have been a bit too much integrationist theology. That is partly why Brexit came as such a shock. How could a nation of sceptics be so credulous as to swallow leave-campaign fictions? How could a pragmatic people submit to something so flagrantly impractical?
The EU was quick to see that Brexit was a lose-lose proposition, but the cost to Britain was obviously greater and easier to count in terms of trade and influence. The damage done to the European project is more subtle and insidious. It is a slow burn.
Grief at the separation was overtaken by frustration and impatience during the bungled exit process. Relief at finalising the divorce and the need to get on with other things has meant deferring the audit of what the EU will miss. No one is measuring the UK-shaped hole in Europe.
On that score, Johnson’s consequential victory was not the defeat of enthusiastic pro-Europeans, who had not been a dominant cultural force, but the annihilation of rational Eurosceptics. It was the banishment of moderate Tories and the scorching of earth beneath anyone who could see flaws in the EU but wanted to address them from the inside, because membership still served the national interest. The extinction of that tribe is a tragedy for British politics, but it is also a loss to the rest of Europe. And the cost has yet to be counted.
Matt Hancock silences EU with perfect vaccine comeback - 'It's called contract law!' Dan Falvey, Political Correspondent 1 hour ago 11 Comments |
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After months of the UK being dubbed the sick man of Europe by those on the continent due to the high number of Covid cases and deaths, the inoculation drive puts Britain on track to be among the first countries in the world to reopen after the pandemic. At the same time, the EU has been plunged into crisis with a new third wave of coronavirus forcing many member states back into lockdown.
Pause Current Time 0:34 / Duration 1:06 Unmute 0 HQ CaptionFull screen EU warned of 'retaliation' from UK on vaccine export ban Click to expand In the UK more than half of all adults have now had a first Covid jab, with the entire adult population on track to have been given an injection by the end of July.
In Europe, only about 10 percent of adults have received a dose of a life-saving Covid jab.
Brussels blames the low numbers on AstraZeneca, which has failed to deliver the number of doses it promised to the bloc.
It has also levelled accusations at the UK, saying it refuses to export jabs manufactured in Britain to the continent.
READ MORE: EU blasted over 'devious' coronavirus vaccine war threat
He told the FT: "We are not seeing any vaccines in the UK arriving here."
However, the Health Secretary has shrugged off the comments, explaining the UK has received more doses because it brokered a better deal with AstraZeneca.
"They have a 'best efforts' contract and we have an exclusivity deal, Mr Hancock said.
"Our contract trumps theirs. It's called contract law - it's very straightforward."
The West Suffolk MP has been a staunch defender of the "absolutely brilliant" drugs company, which has agreed to produce its vaccine at cost, making it more affordable for poorer countries around the world.
READ MORE: Fraudsters exploiting EU vaccine row to flog fake Covid-19 jabs
Mr Hancock said, post-Brexit, Britain could exploit the rhetoric from Brussels to become the leading European centre for life sciences.
He said: "We're going to make it impossible to choose anywhere else to put your life sciences manufacturing in the European timezone.
"You can export anywhere in the world and we're never going to put a stop to that."
The remarks echo similar comments made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in front of a committee of MPs yesterday.
In a warning to the EU, he said: "I would just gently say to anybody considering a blockade, or interruption of supply chains, that companies may look at such actions and draw conclusions about whether or not it is sensible to make future investments in countries where arbitrary blockades are imposed."
Don't f*** with the UK!' Britons hit out as EU finally caves on vaccine export threat Paul Withers 1 hour ago 9 Comments |
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The UK Government dealt with the simmering row by promising to help get the European Union's disastrous vaccination programme back on track - with the EU softening its furious rhetoric soon after. Downing Street went on the charm offensive amid fears the UK's highly successful vaccine scheme was in the crosshairs of European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. Top foreign office envoy Sir Tim Barrow was dispatched to Brussels to steer her away from sparking a full-blown export war with the UK.
Pause Current Time 0:17 / Duration 0:26 Unmute 0 Full screen Royal Navy jet declares emergency mid-flight Click to expand The breakthrough talks between the UK and EU are focussing on securing the vital cross-Channel supply chains to keep the vaccine taps turned on for both the EU and UK.
Despite the cooling of diplomatic relations, Express.co.uk readers have lashed out at the EU for allowing the situation to escalate.
One reader branded the bloc "incompetent" and "protectionist", as the UK was praised for standing up to the EU.
Reacting to our initial story, one Express.co.uk reader said: "Can you just imagine if the rolls were reversed and the EU were racing ahead with their vaccine rollout and the UK falling behind? No way would the EU cooperate.
A fourth reader argued: "Problem for the EU is the UK isn't 'interdependent', which is where their power comes from.
"The UK has its own production hub and worse and is one of the largest producers of vaccine ingredients, which means the EU is quite dependent on the UK but not the other way around.
"Blocking vaccine exports to the UK would be a inconvenience for the UK but a retaliatory block on the vaccine ingredients would cripple the EU."
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"We have been discussing what more we can do to ensure a reciprocally beneficial relationship between the UK and EU on COVID-19."
"Given our interdependencies, we are working on specific steps we can take - in the short-, medium - and long term - to create a win-win situation and expand vaccine supply for all our citizens."
"In the end, openness and global cooperation of all countries will be key to finally overcome this pandemic and ensure better preparation for meeting future challenges.
European Commission executive vice president Valdis Dombrovskis said: "The EU still faces a very serious epidemiological situation and continues to export significantly to countries whose situation is less serious than ours, or whose vaccination is more advanced than ours."
He added: "Some 10 million doses have been exported from the EU to the UK, and zero doses have been exported from the UK to EU.
"If we discuss reciprocity, solidarity and global responsibility, it's clear we need to look at those aspects."
The eurocrat said exports of Pfizer jabs to the UK would be reviewed on a "case by case basis".
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the move would force pharmaceutical giants to reconsider doing business on the continent.
He told the Commons Liaison Committee: "Companies may look at such actions... and draw conclusions about whether or not it is sensible to make future investments in countries where they have arbitrary blockades."
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The inventor of the popular vacuum cleaner Dyson said Brussels' approach to business regulations was hurting companies. He has endured a multi-year battle with the EU over its testing standards and is seeking hundreds of millions of pounds in damages from the European Commission.
Pause Current Time 0:24 / Duration 0:58 Unmute 0 Full screen George Mikell stars in iconic 1963 film The Great Escape Click to expand The 73-year old is awaiting a judgement on damages in the row over testing standards on electronics.
Sir James hailed Brexit and said it gives Britain a massive advantage when trading internationally.
As the UK continues to sign post-Brexit free trade deals with nations across the globe, he said he would prefer a complete eradication of trade barriers.
He told The Australian: "The history of our legal case with the European Court of Justice is a salutary one.
"To break free of this closed protectionist body and become a free trade nation, able to do deals with all over the world and in particular with the Commonwealth - I'm delighted.
"I don't see why there should be any trade barriers at all.
"People in Britain should be able to enjoy Australian wine and Australian meat in the same way we can enjoy European wine or even our own wine. Why not?"
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In his public spat with the EU, his company argues it lost out on sales and was slapped with increased research and promotional costs due to the dispute about the labelling of vacuum cleaners' energy consumption.
The case is being heard in the European courts.
The claim goes back as far as 2014 when companies were preparing for the introduction of new labelling requirements.
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Since the Brexit transition period ended on December 31, the UK has signed a string of trade deals with other nations.
This week Liz Truss, the international trade secretary, said her team were in the final stages of securing a multi-billion pound agreement with Ottawa.
Brexiteer James Dyson slams 'closed and protectionist' EU in high-stakes battle with bloc Laura O'Callaghan 44 mins ago 5 Comments |
6 18 dog toothpastes for clean teeth and healthy gums Save up to 40% on TV's, Laptops, and more in Currys epic Easter sale
The inventor of the popular vacuum cleaner Dyson said Brussels' approach to business regulations was hurting companies. He has endured a multi-year battle with the EU over its testing standards and is seeking hundreds of millions of pounds in damages from the European Commission.
Pause Current Time 0:24 / Duration 0:58 Unmute 0 Full screen George Mikell stars in iconic 1963 film The Great Escape Click to expand The 73-year old is awaiting a judgement on damages in the row over testing standards on electronics.
Sir James hailed Brexit and said it gives Britain a massive advantage when trading internationally.
As the UK continues to sign post-Brexit free trade deals with nations across the globe, he said he would prefer a complete eradication of trade barriers.
He told The Australian: "The history of our legal case with the European Court of Justice is a salutary one.
"To break free of this closed protectionist body and become a free trade nation, able to do deals with all over the world and in particular with the Commonwealth - I'm delighted.
"I don't see why there should be any trade barriers at all.
"People in Britain should be able to enjoy Australian wine and Australian meat in the same way we can enjoy European wine or even our own wine. Why not?"
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In his public spat with the EU, his company argues it lost out on sales and was slapped with increased research and promotional costs due to the dispute about the labelling of vacuum cleaners' energy consumption.
The case is being heard in the European courts.
The claim goes back as far as 2014 when companies were preparing for the introduction of new labelling requirements.
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Since the Brexit transition period ended on December 31, the UK has signed a string of trade deals with other nations.
This week Liz Truss, the international trade secretary, said her team were in the final stages of securing a multi-billion pound agreement with Ottawa.
Except it wasn't secret. And it wasn't going to Britain. It was to be used only in EU countries and some of the world's poorer nations. But as a political act it was symptomatic of an EU which has ripped-up the diplomatic rule book in an increasingly dangerous, desperate and dumb attempt to deflect attention from Ursula von der Leyen and co's embarrassingly inadequate efforts to protect almost half a billion people from the ravages of COVID-19.
Even ardent Remainers Keir Starmer and BBC legend John Humpheys now admit Brussels has comprehensively lost the plot on this, and we are now seeing across the Channel what depths of evil second-rate politicians are capable of when gifted with unaccountable power.
And, make no mistake, it is evil.
When this shakes down somebody cleverer than me will come up with a figure. And that figure will be the number of unnecessary deaths of fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, which were caused by the EU's incompetence. No, that's too generous, caused by the EU's belief that saving face and attacking Britain is more important than saving people's lives.
The first crime was inaction, the inability to see the Covid freight train hurtling down the tracks at 100mph. But that is as nothing compared to the truly malevolent politics of withholding vaccines and indeed spreading out and out lies about their danger to slow uptake which would protect European citizens.
Mr Macron, Ursula von der Leyen, Angela Merkel, Michel Barnier and the whole sorry lot of them will have blood on their hands.
One can only hope their consciences torture them every single day until the grave.
Last night there was a half-hearted attempt to control the bad press on this.
But weasel words are 10 a penny in politics, and we were merely treated to a textbook lesson in politicians issuing a statement saying absolutely nothing.
The joint EU/UK statement read: "Given our interdependencies, we are working on specific steps we can take - in the short-, medium- and long term - to create a win-win situation and expand vaccine supply for all our citizens. In the end, openness and global cooperation of all countries will be key to finally overcome this pandemic and ensure better preparation for meeting future challenges."
Got that?
Absolutely nothing.
For my money the two key weasel words to keep a whether eye on are "reciprocity" and "proportionality".
The EU - where many parts of the various vaccines are made, altered or assembled - is threatening to blockade countries which don't meet EU-adjudged levels of "reciprocity" by exporting a percentage of doses.
"Proportionality" refers to countries which have managed to achieve far higher vaccination rates among their population than the EU.
Britain then.
There is so much wrong with this it's hard to know where to start - except to say it is not just morally corrupt, it is like watching Brussels taking an AK47 to both feet.
On a broad level it merely entrenches the notion that the EU is rapidly becoming the new USSR. Both dictatorial and stupid, moves like this scream out the signature problem with socialist blocs - namely they tend to drag everyone down to a base level rather than allowing the exceptional to fly.
But more particularly this is supranational state apparatus sending armed men into private companies, threatening to steal their patents and dictating who and how these companies can sell to.
Good luck with attracting new international business to the EU Ursula.
It goes without saying that Ms von der Leyen and her gang don't really seem to have thought through the laws they would have to break to enforce this and the mind-boggling scale of the lawsuit which would ensue.
But then thinking ahead doesn't seem to be an EU strong suit.
Strangely, and very much against the run of play, a partial way out of this mess was offered by European Commissioner Thierry Breton.
Obviously Thierry had to take the mandatory swipe at Britain accusing us of "vaccine nationalism" instead of prudent and timely investment in a product we thought we might need but then he went on to suggest what we might need to do is accelerate production rather than allow millions of Covid vaccines to lie unused in European warehouses.
And he's spot on. Of course what everybody needs to do is accelerate production by any means necessary be that money, manpower, or cutting red-tape.
Of course Thierry is that rarest of EU animals - a bloke who had a proper job in business before taking the Brussels shilling.
His proposals now have to pass through committee.
Don't hold your breath - we are in camels and needles territory.
An incredible reply. You seem to come from the Donald Trump school of alternative facts. A fact used to be undeniable because it was true.
Haysie. You seem to think that you will win an argument by ignoring my arguments and throwing your hands up in horror at the mere suggestion that you may not be 100% right every time.
Let's try looking at what you have said. And see if it stacks up.
"An incredible reply". So-unbelievable. No point in trying to argue stuff. Just use insults. That will work.
"You seem to come from the Donald Trump school of alternative facts." Says the man who doesn't realise that facts can, and are, used in a variety of ways. While trying to maintain my facts are "fake news", while yours are the only 1 that matters. If you say so, Donald.
"A fact used to be undeniable because it was true." Did you really say this? Which other facts do you think might be undeniable? How about:-
(1) The EU has ordered 2 billion vaccines. You believe that the reason they are about 150 million vaccines behind is because 60 million (3%) are late. (2) It is miles behind in producing the Pfizer vaccine. The USA is only just behind us. But BionTech have never mass-produced anything. And it shows. No facts about how many millions they are behind schedule. But I expect it is more thgan 60 million. And America has vaccinated far greater numbers than anywhere else (3) The Moderna vaccine. Supposed to be produced in Italy in large numbers. But it's all gone Pete Tong
All facts. All undeniable.
"The EU population etc, is completely irrelevant in regards to their AZ contract. I dont think that the EU are disputing the numbers of those that have been vaccinated. You would have to be completely blind not to see that production delays that have caused a two thirds shortage to the EU supply, but leaves the UK supply uninterrupted, is pathetic excuse, and one that would be unlikely to stand up in court."
No, of course it isn't irrelevant. Unless of course you are so in love with the EU that you believe the sole reason for the 150 million shortfall is purely relating to 60 million vaccines being delayed. You would have to be totally blind not to see that the EU is failing on all fronts, and choosing just to pick on the Anglo-Swedish Company. With numbers that are embarrassing.
And Court? Don't make me laugh. You can spend 5 years going through the Courts. Safe in the knowledge that the main results will be:-
(1) Massive increase in deaths (2) Politicians removed by electorate (3) Next time the EU needs Big Pharma, payback
"Your claim that the EU did not invest in AZ, is untrue, or maybe an alternative fact. The article below detailing the EU investment is dated August last year."
The EU had a choice. To back the American Pfizer vaccine, with the German junior partner, or AZ-the UK/Swedish firm.
It chose Germany over Sweden. No surprise there. It always chooses Germany.
No thanks, Joe! Boris urged to walk away from UK-US trade deal after Biden's latest swipe
Mr Biden, who has close ancestral ties with Ireland, has made no secret of his opposition to any deal which he sees as jeopardising 1998's landmark Good Friday Agreement, widely seen as having brought an end to the Troubles. He returned to the subject of Anglo-Irish relations during his first press conference as US President, when he was pressed on the issue of migrants gathered at the US-Mexico border.
He told reporters: "When my great grandfather got on a coffin ship in the Irish sea, the expectation was he was going to live long enough to get to the United States of America.
"They left because of what the Brits had been doing.
"They were in real, real trouble. They didn't want to leave but they had no choice.
Time to go! Brexiteer urges ‘rabbit in headlights' Boris to QUIT as PM in damning analysis
"My doubts began last year when it became plain he had made no preparations for a no-deal outcome with the EU, his threat to walk away from negotiations was false and he would sign the UK into a lousy deal.
"As sure as night follows day, that is what he has done, including leaving part of the UK behind and partitioning the country - a first for any country in history that has not just been defeated in war."
Mr Habib added: "He has been buffeted from one problem to another both with Brexit and his handling of the pandemic.
"He does not lead. He lacks vision, is unable to plan and is worse at execution.
"His Covid inspired policies have done huge damage to the nation's economy, democracy and indeed health."
Mr Habib conceded that Mr Johnson's vaccination rollout strategy, which has resulted in more than 50 percent of Britons having had at least one jab, had been a big success.
However, he added: "Instead of capitalising on that advantage, he is continuing with lockdown and the vastly expensive measures associated with it.
"With the backdrop of the vaccination programme he should be rolling back lockdown aggressively and minimising the already huge damage done.
"Instead, government policy appears to be being made by a rabbit caught in the headlights.
It was an educated chance, but a chance nonetheless. Until Brexit had been completed and Britain had officially divorced itself from its abusive, ungrateful and dysfunctional partner, nobody would truly know whether the right decision had been made. But very few of those 17.4million gamblers could have honestly thought that their bet would pay off this quickly.The events of the last year have not only proven beyond any reasonable doubt that Brexit is best for Britain, they have also completely put to bed the notion that Britain should, or will, ever re-join the European Union. It is game, set and match.
Make no mistake; the European Union is finished. It is over. It is now a lame duck, a geriatric dog ready to make one final trip to see the vet, a barely breathing dodo...
The European Union's handling of the vaccination rollout scheme, amongst other things, has not only nullified what was left of the case for Remain in the United Kingdom, it has simultaneously solidified the case for Leave across the continent.
French President, Emmanuel Macron, famously said the reason he would not allow his people an In/Out Referendum was because they would probably vote to leave - and that was several years ago, way before the current coronavirus calamity.
The seeds of Euroscepticism were first planted right across Europe when the mask slipped and it emerged the true ambition was not merely for a group of free-trading nations, rather a deep-seated and all-powerful political superstate.
These seeds were placed in fertile ground and well-watered when the migrant crisis happened and several nations, most notably Italy and Greece, were hung out to dry and left to fend for themselves.
A procession of terror attacks, some committed by radical new arrivals, then saw anti-Brussels sentiment grow louder.
The ascension of Ursula von der Leyen to the Presidency of the European Commission, a woman regarded as a political dud in her home nation of Germany, caused more consternation amongst the 27 remaining member states, as did the appearance that Boris Johnson managed to negotiate a Brexit deal that was better for Britain than it was for the EU.
But the final nail in the Brussels coffin is being hammered in as I write this piece. The omnishambles of the vaccination rollout.
Euroscepticism is rife across the continent and the vaccine circus is the detonator to that political bomb.
European citizens are looking enviously across the channel at the little island that, once again, in a time of deep international crisis, has defied the odds and outperformed all around Her - by acting independently.
The people of Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands are facing up to the reality that their own individual political leaders, the people they elected, formed 'The Vaccine Alliance' and had deals in place with AstraZeneca, only for those deals to be ripped from their hands (literally) by the unelected President of the European Commission.
If those countries had been left to operate independently, then the majority of their population would most likely have been vaccinated by now, as is the case in the UK.
And then what have they seen since? The European Leaders threaten a vaccine blockade, threaten a hard border in Northern Ireland, cancel Easter, reinstate Easter, claim the AstraZeneca vaccine is unsafe while simultaneously demanding more doses of it, blame Britain, beg Britain for more.
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In times of absolute crisis, and the pandemic has been an absolute crisis, people put their total faith in their political leaders to handle the situation. The population is at their leaders' mercy. That is a fact.
What has the European Union shown to its people during this crisis?
Would you, as a European Union citizen, now feel more or less safe in a time of crisis based on what the EU has shown you in the last year?
Boris Johnson, like him or loathe him, and I happen to like him, secured enough Covid vaccines for every single member of the UK population, and then set up a successful rollout strategy that means that every single person will actually get that vaccine. Job done.
We were all told that if little Britain voted for Brexit we would be the poor men of Europe. Well, who's laughing now? The European Union is the one with its hand out, begging for scraps.
'Oh dear, we've been shafted!' Boris Johnson's ‘broken promises' have ‘hurt' UK fishing
June Mummery told Express.co.uk that once the terms on fishing with the European Union were revealed, fishermen felt they had been let down by the UK Government again. The former Brexit Party MEP labelled Boris Johnson's broken promises as soul-destroying.
"I believed him...and that is what hurts me too."
During the same interview, the former MEP stated that Mr Johnson "sacrificed" the UK's fishing industry and coastal communities to get Brexit done.
Ms Mummery stated that the post-Brexit free trade agreement the Prime Minister agreed with the European Union, "gave everything away" on fishing.
Comments
Boris Johnson’s claim that a third wave of coronavirus will inevitably spread from Europe to the UK has been attacked by a scientist.
On Monday, the prime minister said a surge in COVID-19 case rates in mainland Europe will lead to an increase in infections in the UK.
But Christina Pagel, a mathematician and professor of operational research at University College London, accused Johnson of “talking b******s”.
She tweeted: “It's cynical opportunism to blame any resurgence in England on the European wave. It is frankly absurd.”
Prof Pagel, a member of the Independent Sage group, added: “It is entirely on the government if we have another wave this summer – not the EU.”
https://uk.yahoo.com/news/boris-johnson-europe-third-covid-wave-uk-scientist-150051652.html
PARIS (Reuters) - French Europe Minister Clement Beaune said on Tuesday that the European Union wanted reciprocity with Britain over the supply of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said AstraZeneca could face a ban on exports for the EU of doses if it did not meet its delivery obligations to the bloc.
"We are telling AstraZeneca: we can understand you have production issues but there is no reason for Europe to be the adjustment variable," Beaune told France Info radio.
"We want to avoid that AstraZeneca doses produced in Europe go to Britain when we are not receiving anything. We want to make sure the reciprocity principle applies," the minister said.
Watch: EU to extend curbs on COVID-19 vaccine exports
"AstraZeneca says: I am experiencing delays, we say: mobilise your plants for us and if you don't, we will block exports to the UK. We will discuss that on Thursday and Friday at the European Council," he added.
French Junior Economy Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher told BFM television on Tuesday that it was up to AstraZeneca to act.
"We must find a solution so that AstraZeneca progressively returns to supply levels initially specified in their contracts. One can understand they face industrial hurdles but one cannot understand differences in treatment between various areas," she said.
"AstraZeneca has two large plants in Europe from which it can supply us and it has plants in other zones. It is up to them to propose an action plan," she added.
https://uk.yahoo.com/news/eu-wants-reciprocity-uk-over-095858662.html
On the Covid vaccine, compromise is possible. But relations are on a downward spiral and the damage will be lasting
Tory MPs say Brussels is lashing out in jealousy. Vaccination is something Boris Johnson’s government is doing well, and the EU is floundering. That has less to do with Brexit than is claimed by triumphant ministers, but as propaganda the point is irresistible: there is nothing else to trumpet as a benefit of detachment from the continent, and winning the vaccination race resonates with voters grateful for jabs.
UK politicians overestimate how much time is spent in Brussels thinking about Brexit. The peak of trauma and caring came immediately after the referendum. There was a phase of anxiety that the separatist impulse might be contagious. That passed when Westminster curled itself into a writhing ball, unable to digest the reality of what the electorate had ordered. No one who saw that from inside the EU fancied a portion of what Britain was having.
What comes across to Tory ministers as a vendetta is actually something much less attentive. It is being a “third country” – the legal designation of an external state whose needs are always subordinate to the collective interests of the bloc. At Brussels summits, Britain’s third-country status is more relevant than its G7 economy, its permanent seat on the UN security council and its nuclear arsenal. London isn’t used to thinking of itself as junior to Ljubljana in EU affairs, but that is what Brexit means.
Specifically, it is Johnson’s Brexit. He pulped the chapters in Theresa May’s deal that would have made good on her pledge of a “deep and special partnership”. The adjustment was more than tonal. It was an ideological choice with immediate consequences: rivalry over alignment, competition before cooperation. Those priorities are baked into Johnson’s trade deal. Diplomatic bridges were burned and back channels blocked to make a point about regulatory freedom.
Leavers always exaggerate the UK’s reach as a solo global trader, but the country’s disruptive potential as a commercial rival parked off the French coast is real enough. That is why Brussels drove such a hard bargain on single-market access. In terms of size, Britain is in the sour spot relative to the EU: too small to be an equal, too big to be a client; not powerful enough to assert its will in trade negotiations but hefty enough to cause trouble.
That is a blueprint for relations on a downward spiral, which neither side wants or knows how to avert. Johnson has called for a cooperative front against a third Covid wave. Many EU national leaders are not sold on the Commission’s threat of a vaccine export ban. Compromise on AstraZeneca is available. But in the longer term, the tensions are structural and hard to overcome when all reserves of trust are spent.
Europeans have learned to disregard what Johnson says and focus on what he does. If he were serious about a cooperative spirit he would not, for example, be refusing to apply the full terms of the withdrawal agreement in Northern Ireland. Reliable partners do not sign treaties with their fingers crossed. If the British prime minister valued respectful dialogue, he would not have refused full diplomatic status to the EU’s ambassador.
Most EU governments want a closer relationship with Britain. Some have economic motives. Others, notably eastern members with Russian sabres rattling at their borders, value the UK’s defence and security capabilities. But none will put relations with a third country – not even an old friend – ahead of internal EU relations.
And since there is no prospect of pro-Europeans staging a comeback at Westminster, the default setting is to treat Britain as a problem to be contained, not a partner to be consulted. Ministers resent that label because they see themselves as running a big country that matters, but the Tory benches are not stocked with people who would know how to begin rebuilding influence in Brussels.
Brexit was a closed chapter for many Europeans when Britain was still bickering over whether it should go ahead. There were bigger and more urgent challenges even before the pandemic made everything harder: internal tensions over budgets and fiscal transfers; moral quandaries over the rule of law in rogue members that are hollowing out their democracies; strategic dilemmas facing a new superpower rivalry between the US and China; migration control; the climate emergency.
Britain may yet claim a stake in many of those conversations, but it has forfeited its place at the table. That is a loss on both sides of the Channel. Many smaller EU members used to rely on the UK, as one of the bloc’s top three heavy-hitters, to make the case for financial prudence and respect for national differentiation. Britain was the pre-eminent non-eurozone member and an internal counterweight to federalising and centralising impulses. Removing that voice inevitably alters the character of the project.
British diplomats and officials were admired for bringing pragmatism and rational scepticism to conversations where there would otherwise have been a bit too much integrationist theology. That is partly why Brexit came as such a shock. How could a nation of sceptics be so credulous as to swallow leave-campaign fictions? How could a pragmatic people submit to something so flagrantly impractical?
The EU was quick to see that Brexit was a lose-lose proposition, but the cost to Britain was obviously greater and easier to count in terms of trade and influence. The damage done to the European project is more subtle and insidious. It is a slow burn.
Grief at the separation was overtaken by frustration and impatience during the bungled exit process. Relief at finalising the divorce and the need to get on with other things has meant deferring the audit of what the EU will miss. No one is measuring the UK-shaped hole in Europe.
On that score, Johnson’s consequential victory was not the defeat of enthusiastic pro-Europeans, who had not been a dominant cultural force, but the annihilation of rational Eurosceptics. It was the banishment of moderate Tories and the scorching of earth beneath anyone who could see flaws in the EU but wanted to address them from the inside, because membership still served the national interest. The extinction of that tribe is a tragedy for British politics, but it is also a loss to the rest of Europe. And the cost has yet to be counted.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/24/trust-britain-covid-vaccine-compromise
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/brexit-row-david-cameron-attacked-boris-johnson-for-appalling-behaviour-in-eu-clash/ar-BB1eV86C?ocid=msedgntp
Dan Falvey, Political Correspondent 1 hour ago
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After months of the UK being dubbed the sick man of Europe by those on the continent due to the high number of Covid cases and deaths, the inoculation drive puts Britain on track to be among the first countries in the world to reopen after the pandemic. At the same time, the EU has been plunged into crisis with a new third wave of coronavirus forcing many member states back into lockdown.
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EU warned of 'retaliation' from UK on vaccine export ban
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In the UK more than half of all adults have now had a first Covid jab, with the entire adult population on track to have been given an injection by the end of July.
In Europe, only about 10 percent of adults have received a dose of a life-saving Covid jab.
Brussels blames the low numbers on AstraZeneca, which has failed to deliver the number of doses it promised to the bloc.
It has also levelled accusations at the UK, saying it refuses to export jabs manufactured in Britain to the continent.
READ MORE: EU blasted over 'devious' coronavirus vaccine war threat
a group of people wearing costumes: Matt Hancock has boasted of the UK's contract with the EU© PA/GETTY Matt Hancock has boasted of the UK's contract with the EU
"We have a feeling that the vaccine nationalism is really on the other side of the Channel," Thierry Breton, the EU's internal market commissioner said yesterday.
He told the FT: "We are not seeing any vaccines in the UK arriving here."
However, the Health Secretary has shrugged off the comments, explaining the UK has received more doses because it brokered a better deal with AstraZeneca.
"They have a 'best efforts' contract and we have an exclusivity deal, Mr Hancock said.
"Our contract trumps theirs. It's called contract law - it's very straightforward."
The West Suffolk MP has been a staunch defender of the "absolutely brilliant" drugs company, which has agreed to produce its vaccine at cost, making it more affordable for poorer countries around the world.
READ MORE: Fraudsters exploiting EU vaccine row to flog fake Covid-19 jabs
a person standing in a room: The Health Secretary said the UK's contract was based on exclusivity© PA The Health Secretary said the UK's contract was based on exclusivity
a man looking at the camera: Matt Hancock praised to work of AstraZeneca in the pandemic© PA Matt Hancock praised to work of AstraZeneca in the pandemic
He believes the EU has unfairly attacked a company doing its best to help the world fight back against the pandemic.
"They have been thrust into a geopolitical position," he said.
"That's difficult for any business."
The EU has threatened to ban the export of all vaccines made in the bloc to countries overseas until it gets more doses of jabs for itself.
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Covid vaccinations latest© EXPRESS Covid vaccinations latest
Ministers have warned any attempts to ban doses earmarked to travel to the UK would be breaking contractual law and be a disastrous decision for the EU to take.
Mr Hancock said, post-Brexit, Britain could exploit the rhetoric from Brussels to become the leading European centre for life sciences.
He said: "We're going to make it impossible to choose anywhere else to put your life sciences manufacturing in the European timezone.
"You can export anywhere in the world and we're never going to put a stop to that."
The remarks echo similar comments made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in front of a committee of MPs yesterday.
In a warning to the EU, he said: "I would just gently say to anybody considering a blockade, or interruption of supply chains, that companies may look at such actions and draw conclusions about whether or not it is sensible to make future investments in countries where arbitrary blockades are imposed."
Coronavirus in numbers latest© EXPRESS Coronavirus in numbers latest
Last night Brussels appeared to climb down following its threat to block jabs exports.
A joint statement from the UK and EU said both sides were working to create a "win-win situation" over vaccine distribution.
It added: "We are all facing the same pandemic and the third wave makes co-operation between the EU and UK even more important.
"We have been discussing what more we can do to ensure a reciprocally beneficial relationship between the UK and EU on Covid-19."
Paul Withers 1 hour ago
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The UK Government dealt with the simmering row by promising to help get the European Union's disastrous vaccination programme back on track - with the EU softening its furious rhetoric soon after. Downing Street went on the charm offensive amid fears the UK's highly successful vaccine scheme was in the crosshairs of European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. Top foreign office envoy Sir Tim Barrow was dispatched to Brussels to steer her away from sparking a full-blown export war with the UK.
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Royal Navy jet declares emergency mid-flight
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The breakthrough talks between the UK and EU are focussing on securing the vital cross-Channel supply chains to keep the vaccine taps turned on for both the EU and UK.
Despite the cooling of diplomatic relations, Express.co.uk readers have lashed out at the EU for allowing the situation to escalate.
One reader branded the bloc "incompetent" and "protectionist", as the UK was praised for standing up to the EU.
Reacting to our initial story, one Express.co.uk reader said: "Can you just imagine if the rolls were reversed and the EU were racing ahead with their vaccine rollout and the UK falling behind? No way would the EU cooperate.
text: eu vaccine row britons furious© GETTY/EXPRESS eu vaccine row britons furious
Boris Johnson wearing a suit and tie: eu vaccine row boris johnson© GETTY eu vaccine row boris johnson
"Their response would be 'the UK voted for Brexit, it's your problem'.
"They´re so angry at Brexit Britain showing them up for what they are - totally incompetent and protectionist."
A second reader wrote: "The EU hasn't supplied anything AZ makes it and distributes it.
"The only thing the EU have done is mess up everything. They are totally incompetent."
READ MORE: EU vaccine claims questioned by BBC after AstraZeneca attacks
Ursula von der Leyen in a blue shirt: eu vaccine row ursula von der leyen© GETTY eu vaccine row ursula von der leyen
Another person simply raged: "Don't f##k with the UK!"
A fourth reader argued: "Problem for the EU is the UK isn't 'interdependent', which is where their power comes from.
"The UK has its own production hub and worse and is one of the largest producers of vaccine ingredients, which means the EU is quite dependent on the UK but not the other way around.
"Blocking vaccine exports to the UK would be a inconvenience for the UK but a retaliatory block on the vaccine ingredients would cripple the EU."
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a close up of a bottle: eu vaccine row astrazeneca latest© GETTY eu vaccine row astrazeneca latest
Valdis Dombrovskis wearing a suit and tie: eu vaccine row latest© GETTY eu vaccine row latest
In a joint statement with Brussels, Downing Street said: "We are all facing the same pandemic and the third wave makes cooperation between the EU and UK even more important.
"We have been discussing what more we can do to ensure a reciprocally beneficial relationship between the UK and EU on COVID-19."
"Given our interdependencies, we are working on specific steps we can take - in the short-, medium - and long term - to create a win-win situation and expand vaccine supply for all our citizens."
"In the end, openness and global cooperation of all countries will be key to finally overcome this pandemic and ensure better preparation for meeting future challenges.
"We will continue our discussions"
eu vaccine row latest data© EXPRESS eu vaccine row latest data
The EU had suggested it could retaliate by snatching doses of the Pfizer vaccine, made in Belgium, heading to our shores.
European Commission executive vice president Valdis Dombrovskis said: "The EU still faces a very serious epidemiological situation and continues to export significantly to countries whose situation is less serious than ours, or whose vaccination is more advanced than ours."
He added: "Some 10 million doses have been exported from the EU to the UK, and zero doses have been exported from the UK to EU.
"If we discuss reciprocity, solidarity and global responsibility, it's clear we need to look at those aspects."
The eurocrat said exports of Pfizer jabs to the UK would be reviewed on a "case by case basis".
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the move would force pharmaceutical giants to reconsider doing business on the continent.
He told the Commons Liaison Committee: "Companies may look at such actions... and draw conclusions about whether or not it is sensible to make future investments in countries where they have arbitrary blockades."
Laura O'Callaghan 44 mins ago
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The inventor of the popular vacuum cleaner Dyson said Brussels' approach to business regulations was hurting companies. He has endured a multi-year battle with the EU over its testing standards and is seeking hundreds of millions of pounds in damages from the European Commission.
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George Mikell stars in iconic 1963 film The Great Escape
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The 73-year old is awaiting a judgement on damages in the row over testing standards on electronics.
Sir James hailed Brexit and said it gives Britain a massive advantage when trading internationally.
As the UK continues to sign post-Brexit free trade deals with nations across the globe, he said he would prefer a complete eradication of trade barriers.
He told The Australian: "The history of our legal case with the European Court of Justice is a salutary one.
a man wearing a suit and tie: james dyson© GETTY james dyson
a man wearing a suit and tie: james dyson© GETTY james dyson
"And of course it's one of the reasons why I'm so vocally against being part of Europe.
"To break free of this closed protectionist body and become a free trade nation, able to do deals with all over the world and in particular with the Commonwealth - I'm delighted.
"I don't see why there should be any trade barriers at all.
"People in Britain should be able to enjoy Australian wine and Australian meat in the same way we can enjoy European wine or even our own wine. Why not?"
READ MORE: Dyson's new laser-guided vacuum rids your house of every spec of dust
a man standing in front of a crowd: BREXIT © GETTY BREXIT
Last year he was named the wealthiest person in the UK, according to the Sunday Times Rich List.
In his public spat with the EU, his company argues it lost out on sales and was slapped with increased research and promotional costs due to the dispute about the labelling of vacuum cleaners' energy consumption.
The case is being heard in the European courts.
The claim goes back as far as 2014 when companies were preparing for the introduction of new labelling requirements.
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Elizabeth Truss walking down a street: LIZ TRUSS© GETTY LIZ TRUSS
Elizabeth Truss in a blue shirt: LIZ TRUSS© GETTY LIZ TRUSS
The following year firms had to display how much power plug-in household electronics would use.
Dyson took issue with the directives due to its bagless vacuum.
The company argued that because the cleaner did not have a bag it needed more power to be used effectively.
graphical user interface: Brexit end game© EXPRESS Brexit end game
But the company said the design was more efficient than traditional vacuum cleaners.
Since the Brexit transition period ended on December 31, the UK has signed a string of trade deals with other nations.
This week Liz Truss, the international trade secretary, said her team were in the final stages of securing a multi-billion pound agreement with Ottawa.
a man standing in front of a mirror: DYSON© GETTY DYSON
The UK is Canada's second-largest services trading partner.
The deal, which Ms Truss said her team were "about to announce" will see an estimated £42 million worth of tariffs on UK exports slashed.
The trade pact is set to pave the way for zero tariffs on cars, beef, fish, chocolate and soft drinks.
Laura O'Callaghan 44 mins ago
5 Comments
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6
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The inventor of the popular vacuum cleaner Dyson said Brussels' approach to business regulations was hurting companies. He has endured a multi-year battle with the EU over its testing standards and is seeking hundreds of millions of pounds in damages from the European Commission.
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Duration 0:58
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George Mikell stars in iconic 1963 film The Great Escape
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The 73-year old is awaiting a judgement on damages in the row over testing standards on electronics.
Sir James hailed Brexit and said it gives Britain a massive advantage when trading internationally.
As the UK continues to sign post-Brexit free trade deals with nations across the globe, he said he would prefer a complete eradication of trade barriers.
He told The Australian: "The history of our legal case with the European Court of Justice is a salutary one.
a man wearing a suit and tie: james dyson© GETTY james dyson
a man wearing a suit and tie: james dyson© GETTY james dyson
"And of course it's one of the reasons why I'm so vocally against being part of Europe.
"To break free of this closed protectionist body and become a free trade nation, able to do deals with all over the world and in particular with the Commonwealth - I'm delighted.
"I don't see why there should be any trade barriers at all.
"People in Britain should be able to enjoy Australian wine and Australian meat in the same way we can enjoy European wine or even our own wine. Why not?"
READ MORE: Dyson's new laser-guided vacuum rids your house of every spec of dust
a man standing in front of a crowd: BREXIT © GETTY BREXIT
Last year he was named the wealthiest person in the UK, according to the Sunday Times Rich List.
In his public spat with the EU, his company argues it lost out on sales and was slapped with increased research and promotional costs due to the dispute about the labelling of vacuum cleaners' energy consumption.
The case is being heard in the European courts.
The claim goes back as far as 2014 when companies were preparing for the introduction of new labelling requirements.
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Elizabeth Truss walking down a street: LIZ TRUSS© GETTY LIZ TRUSS
Elizabeth Truss in a blue shirt: LIZ TRUSS© GETTY LIZ TRUSS
The following year firms had to display how much power plug-in household electronics would use.
Dyson took issue with the directives due to its bagless vacuum.
The company argued that because the cleaner did not have a bag it needed more power to be used effectively.
graphical user interface: Brexit end game© EXPRESS Brexit end game
But the company said the design was more efficient than traditional vacuum cleaners.
Since the Brexit transition period ended on December 31, the UK has signed a string of trade deals with other nations.
This week Liz Truss, the international trade secretary, said her team were in the final stages of securing a multi-billion pound agreement with Ottawa.
a man standing in front of a mirror: DYSON© GETTY DYSON
The UK is Canada's second-largest services trading partner.
The deal, which Ms Truss said her team were "about to announce" will see an estimated £42 million worth of tariffs on UK exports slashed.
The trade pact is set to pave the way for zero tariffs on cars, beef, fish, chocolate and soft drinks.
Even ardent Remainers Keir Starmer and BBC legend John Humpheys now admit Brussels has comprehensively lost the plot on this, and we are now seeing across the Channel what depths of evil second-rate politicians are capable of when gifted with unaccountable power.
And, make no mistake, it is evil.
When this shakes down somebody cleverer than me will come up with a figure. And that figure will be the number of unnecessary deaths of fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, which were caused by the EU's incompetence. No, that's too generous, caused by the EU's belief that saving face and attacking Britain is more important than saving people's lives.
The first crime was inaction, the inability to see the Covid freight train hurtling down the tracks at 100mph. But that is as nothing compared to the truly malevolent politics of withholding vaccines and indeed spreading out and out lies about their danger to slow uptake which would protect European citizens.
Mr Macron, Ursula von der Leyen, Angela Merkel, Michel Barnier and the whole sorry lot of them will have blood on their hands.
One can only hope their consciences torture them every single day until the grave.
Last night there was a half-hearted attempt to control the bad press on this.
But weasel words are 10 a penny in politics, and we were merely treated to a textbook lesson in politicians issuing a statement saying absolutely nothing.
The joint EU/UK statement read: "Given our interdependencies, we are working on specific steps we can take - in the short-, medium- and long term - to create a win-win situation and expand vaccine supply for all our citizens. In the end, openness and global cooperation of all countries will be key to finally overcome this pandemic and ensure better preparation for meeting future challenges."
Got that?
Absolutely nothing.
For my money the two key weasel words to keep a whether eye on are "reciprocity" and "proportionality".
The EU - where many parts of the various vaccines are made, altered or assembled - is threatening to blockade countries which don't meet EU-adjudged levels of "reciprocity" by exporting a percentage of doses.
"Proportionality" refers to countries which have managed to achieve far higher vaccination rates among their population than the EU.
Britain then.
There is so much wrong with this it's hard to know where to start - except to say it is not just morally corrupt, it is like watching Brussels taking an AK47 to both feet.
On a broad level it merely entrenches the notion that the EU is rapidly becoming the new USSR. Both dictatorial and stupid, moves like this scream out the signature problem with socialist blocs - namely they tend to drag everyone down to a base level rather than allowing the exceptional to fly.
But more particularly this is supranational state apparatus sending armed men into private companies, threatening to steal their patents and dictating who and how these companies can sell to.
Good luck with attracting new international business to the EU Ursula.
It goes without saying that Ms von der Leyen and her gang don't really seem to have thought through the laws they would have to break to enforce this and the mind-boggling scale of the lawsuit which would ensue.
But then thinking ahead doesn't seem to be an EU strong suit.
Strangely, and very much against the run of play, a partial way out of this mess was offered by European Commissioner Thierry Breton.
Obviously Thierry had to take the mandatory swipe at Britain accusing us of "vaccine nationalism" instead of prudent and timely investment in a product we thought we might need but then he went on to suggest what we might need to do is accelerate production rather than allow millions of Covid vaccines to lie unused in European warehouses.
And he's spot on. Of course what everybody needs to do is accelerate production by any means necessary be that money, manpower, or cutting red-tape.
Of course Thierry is that rarest of EU animals - a bloke who had a proper job in business before taking the Brussels shilling.
His proposals now have to pass through committee.
Don't hold your breath - we are in camels and needles territory.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/scottish-independence-53-of-voters-back-leaving-uk-if-eu-membership-guaranteed-poll-suggests/ar-BB1eXRHV?ocid=msedgntp
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/brexit-chaos-british-expats-in-italy-facing-massive-wealth-tax-bill-after-rule-change/ar-BB1eZ0WY?ocid=msedgntp
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/coronavirus/hauliers-arriving-from-europe-to-be-tested-for-covid-19-under-government-plans/ar-BB1eYwIN?ocid=msedgntp
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/von-der-leyen-takes-swipe-at-uk-over-transparency-and-says-astrazeneca-must-catch-up-on-vaccines-to-eu/ar-BB1eYor8?ocid=msedgntp
Mr Biden, who has close ancestral ties with Ireland, has made no secret of his opposition to any deal which he sees as jeopardising 1998's landmark Good Friday Agreement, widely seen as having brought an end to the Troubles. He returned to the subject of Anglo-Irish relations during his first press conference as US President, when he was pressed on the issue of migrants gathered at the US-Mexico border.
He told reporters: "When my great grandfather got on a coffin ship in the Irish sea, the expectation was he was going to live long enough to get to the United States of America.
"They left because of what the Brits had been doing.
"They were in real, real trouble. They didn't want to leave but they had no choice.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/no-thanks-joe-boris-urged-to-walk-away-from-uk-us-trade-deal-after-biden-s-latest-swipe/ar-BB1f0oGm?ocid=msedgntp
"My doubts began last year when it became plain he had made no preparations for a no-deal outcome with the EU, his threat to walk away from negotiations was false and he would sign the UK into a lousy deal.
"As sure as night follows day, that is what he has done, including leaving part of the UK behind and partitioning the country - a first for any country in history that has not just been defeated in war."
Mr Habib added: "He has been buffeted from one problem to another both with Brexit and his handling of the pandemic.
"He does not lead. He lacks vision, is unable to plan and is worse at execution.
"His Covid inspired policies have done huge damage to the nation's economy, democracy and indeed health."
Mr Habib conceded that Mr Johnson's vaccination rollout strategy, which has resulted in more than 50 percent of Britons having had at least one jab, had been a big success.
However, he added: "Instead of capitalising on that advantage, he is continuing with lockdown and the vastly expensive measures associated with it.
"With the backdrop of the vaccination programme he should be rolling back lockdown aggressively and minimising the already huge damage done.
"Instead, government policy appears to be being made by a rabbit caught in the headlights.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/time-to-go-brexiteer-urges-rabbit-in-headlights-boris-to-quit-as-pm-in-damning-analysis/ar-BB1f0ttt?ocid=msedgntp
Make no mistake; the European Union is finished. It is over. It is now a lame duck, a geriatric dog ready to make one final trip to see the vet, a barely breathing dodo...
The European Union's handling of the vaccination rollout scheme, amongst other things, has not only nullified what was left of the case for Remain in the United Kingdom, it has simultaneously solidified the case for Leave across the continent.
French President, Emmanuel Macron, famously said the reason he would not allow his people an In/Out Referendum was because they would probably vote to leave - and that was several years ago, way before the current coronavirus calamity.
The seeds of Euroscepticism were first planted right across Europe when the mask slipped and it emerged the true ambition was not merely for a group of free-trading nations, rather a deep-seated and all-powerful political superstate.
These seeds were placed in fertile ground and well-watered when the migrant crisis happened and several nations, most notably Italy and Greece, were hung out to dry and left to fend for themselves.
A procession of terror attacks, some committed by radical new arrivals, then saw anti-Brussels sentiment grow louder.
The ascension of Ursula von der Leyen to the Presidency of the European Commission, a woman regarded as a political dud in her home nation of Germany, caused more consternation amongst the 27 remaining member states, as did the appearance that Boris Johnson managed to negotiate a Brexit deal that was better for Britain than it was for the EU.
But the final nail in the Brussels coffin is being hammered in as I write this piece. The omnishambles of the vaccination rollout.
Euroscepticism is rife across the continent and the vaccine circus is the detonator to that political bomb.
European citizens are looking enviously across the channel at the little island that, once again, in a time of deep international crisis, has defied the odds and outperformed all around Her - by acting independently.
The people of Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands are facing up to the reality that their own individual political leaders, the people they elected, formed 'The Vaccine Alliance' and had deals in place with AstraZeneca, only for those deals to be ripped from their hands (literally) by the unelected President of the European Commission.
If those countries had been left to operate independently, then the majority of their population would most likely have been vaccinated by now, as is the case in the UK.
And then what have they seen since? The European Leaders threaten a vaccine blockade, threaten a hard border in Northern Ireland, cancel Easter, reinstate Easter, claim the AstraZeneca vaccine is unsafe while simultaneously demanding more doses of it, blame Britain, beg Britain for more.
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a person posing for the camera: eu flag and vaccine© Getty eu flag and vaccine
This week, acting on an EU tip-off, the Italian authorities even confiscated vaccines destined for third world countries, for goodness' sake. It is total chaos. It is an embarrassment.
In times of absolute crisis, and the pandemic has been an absolute crisis, people put their total faith in their political leaders to handle the situation. The population is at their leaders' mercy. That is a fact.
What has the European Union shown to its people during this crisis?
Would you, as a European Union citizen, now feel more or less safe in a time of crisis based on what the EU has shown you in the last year?
Boris Johnson, like him or loathe him, and I happen to like him, secured enough Covid vaccines for every single member of the UK population, and then set up a successful rollout strategy that means that every single person will actually get that vaccine. Job done.
We were all told that if little Britain voted for Brexit we would be the poor men of Europe. Well, who's laughing now? The European Union is the one with its hand out, begging for scraps.
It feels nice to be right, doesn't it?
June Mummery told Express.co.uk that once the terms on fishing with the European Union were revealed, fishermen felt they had been let down by the UK Government again. The former Brexit Party MEP labelled Boris Johnson's broken promises as soul-destroying.
"I believed him...and that is what hurts me too."
During the same interview, the former MEP stated that Mr Johnson "sacrificed" the UK's fishing industry and coastal communities to get Brexit done.
Ms Mummery stated that the post-Brexit free trade agreement the Prime Minister agreed with the European Union, "gave everything away" on fishing.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/oh-dear-we-ve-been-shafted-boris-johnson-s-broken-promises-have-hurt-uk-fishing/ar-BB1f2zex?ocid=msedgntp
Britain has lost "significant" access to EU policing data under the Brexit deal negotiated at the end of last year, a House of Lords report has said.
It also concluded that post-Brexit law enforcement arrangements are "complex" and "untested".
And peers warned it would take much longer for vital data to be passed to frontline police officers.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-56529359