Exactly the opposite is true. If it hadn't been for the UK contract, the manufacturing ramp up for the EU would be even further behind. AZ has acquired experience and capacity because of the UK contract, and so is able to ramp up more quickly.

/4

The Commission is now seeking to claim an entitlement to doses that only exist because of an earlier contract entered into with another counterparty.

How should AZ respond to that?

/5

In my view, exactly as they have done.

Say nothing in public. Offer the Commission what you can.

Tell them in private to get stuffed.

/6

There is a scandal here. It is the incompetence of the Commission in having placed orders late, and having too often backed the wrong suppliers.

/7

It is now flailing around looking for someone to blame.

First it blaming AZ. I hold no brief for them. But if I were connected to them, I'd be furious.

This is a company that has rolled out a vaccine that will save thousands of lives in record time, and will make no profit.
/8

Second it is trying to blame the UK for "grabbing" vaccines first.

It did no such thing. It placed orders first, and is now benefitting from the manufacturing ramp up under its contracts being three months plus earlier.

/9

The Commission's export controls won't get a single dose of a vaccine in anyone's arms any quicker. It won't make the ramp up now required faster by one day.

The problem it has is nothing to do with the UK or Brexit.

/10