What's happened
Boris Johnson's memoir reveals he considered an 'aquatic raid' on a Dutch warehouse to seize AstraZeneca vaccines during the pandemic. Senior Tories have dismissed the claim as exaggerated, suggesting it was a ploy to boost book sales. The controversy highlights tensions between the UK and EU over vaccine exports.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Boris Johnson's memoir reveals he considered an 'aquatic raid' on a Dutch warehouse to seize Covid vaccines, a claim dismissed by senior Tories as exaggerated. Toby Helm notes that the former prime minister's assertions appear to be aimed at boosting his book sales. In contrast, Metro highlights that military officials deemed the plan 'nuts', emphasizing the absurdity of the proposal. The Mirror criticizes Johnson's detachment from reality during the pandemic, while Sky News provides context on the tensions between the UK and EU regarding vaccine exports. The Independent adds that Johnson's attempts to persuade Prince Harry to remain in the UK reflect his broader political maneuvering during his premiership.
How we got here
During the pandemic, the UK faced vaccine supply issues, particularly with AstraZeneca. Johnson's claims come as part of his memoir, 'Unleashed', which discusses various controversial decisions made during his premiership, including strained relations with the EU over vaccine exports.
Common question
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What Did Boris Johnson Reveal About His Vaccine Raid Plan?
Boris Johnson's upcoming memoir, 'Unleashed', sheds light on a controversial plan he considered during the pandemic to seize AstraZeneca vaccines from the Netherlands. This revelation raises questions about the implications for UK-EU relations and Johnson's leadership during a critical time. Below, we explore key questions surrounding this intriguing story.
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What Did Boris Johnson Say About the 'Aquatic Raid' on Vaccines?
Boris Johnson's upcoming memoir, 'Unleashed', has stirred controversy with claims of an 'aquatic raid' on a Dutch warehouse for Covid vaccines. As the release date approaches, many are questioning the validity of these claims and their implications for Johnson's legacy. Here are some common questions surrounding this topic.
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What Were Boris Johnson's Vaccine Rollout Strategies During the Pandemic?
Boris Johnson's recent memoir, 'Unleashed', has sparked discussions about his controversial strategies during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. His claims, including an alleged plan for an 'aquatic raid' on a Dutch warehouse for AstraZeneca vaccines, have raised eyebrows and questions about the effectiveness of the UK's pandemic response. Here, we explore the strategies employed, the reality behind Johnson's claims, and the lessons we can learn from this tumultuous period.
More on these topics
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Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson Hon FRIBA is a British politician, writer, and former journalist serving as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party since 2019.
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AstraZeneca PLC is a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical company with its global headquarters in Cambridge, England. Its R&D is concentrated in Cambridge, England, Mölndal in Sweden and North America.
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The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. Its members have a combined area of 4,233,255.3 km² and an estimated total population of about 447 million.
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The Netherlands, informally Holland, is a country primarily located in Western Europe and partly in the Caribbean, forming the largest constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
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Buckingham Palace is the London residence and administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality.
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Partygate is a political scandal in the United Kingdom, regarding parties and other gatherings of government and Conservative Party staff held during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, when public health restrictions prohibited most gatherings.
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The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. It was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China.