French border guards seize two lorries carrying 130,000 coronavirus face masks for hero NHS medics
THE French sparked a near-diplomatic row by seizing two lorries carrying 130,000 face masks for the NHS.
The cargo was being urgently ferried in a major boost for over-stretched UK medics battling coronavirus.
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But French border guards impounded the trucks after realising what was on board.
They were acting on President Emmanuel Macron’s pledge to “requisition” all masks for his country’s fight.
The seizure came just 24 hours after another British-bound vehicle carrying thousands of bottles of hand sanitiser was also held up on the other side of the Channel.
UK officials were quickly alerted to both incidents.
And after tense, top-level talks, the lorries were allowed to leave with all supplies on board.
A government source said: “On Tuesday night, French authorities stopped the hand sanitiser and confiscated the lot. “On Wednesday night, it was lorries full of FFP3 face masks to protect staff.”
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But a Whitehall source added: “Both incidents were dealt with relatively quickly.
“There is a clear understanding between countries that only a united approach will tackle the public health emergency all countries face.
“It appears to have been a misunderstanding, we’re confident it won’t happen again.”
President Macron had promised on Twitter on March 3 that the French “will requisition all stocks and the production of masks”.
Former Tory party leader Iain Duncan Smith said: “This shows you all you need to know about European co-operation.
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“Europe is in lockdown and each nation has been left to their own devices.”
Paracetamol exports from Britain have been banned as ministers move to protect vital stocks.
Officials have halted firms from shipping 82 key drugs abroad, including adrenalin, insulin and common painkillers.
Health Minister Lord Bethell said: “NHS staff are going above and beyond to provide world-class care to patients and we are supporting them in every way we can.”
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