Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed in his memoirs that he had ordered military chiefs to plan a raid on a Dutch factory in March 2021 to secure 5 million COVID vaccines that the European Union threatened to block from being exported to Britain. The plan involved crossing the Channel and navigating Dutch canals using small boats, despite warnings of diplomatic repercussions.
Johnson admitted that he and his advisors thought the mission was “nuts” but felt compelled to pursue it due to the EU’s actions. The vaccines in question were developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, with doses manufactured in the Netherlands. The EU sought to keep vaccines made at the Dutch plant for its own use, leading to tensions between Britain and the EU.
Johnson accused the EU of acting maliciously towards the UK due to its faster vaccine rollout. Despite his efforts to negotiate, Johnson believed the EU was influenced by French President Emmanuel Macron. This incident sheds light on the complexities of vaccine distribution and international relations amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
© Thomson Reuters 2024.