THERESA May has been accused of putting people’s lives at risk by awarding a post-Brexit agreement for delivering NHS supplies to the company responsible for failing to deliver enough chicken to KFC.
A UK logistics hub in Belgium will rely on the delivery company DHL to transport crucial goods across the Channel, it has been reported.
Green Party MP Caroline Lucas warned a company “incapable of delivering chicken to KFC” will be involved in importing medical supplies should the UK leave the EU without a deal.
More than 500 of KFC’s restaurants closed in February last year after a new delivery contract with DHL sparked chicken shortages across the country.
The fast food chain was forced to close hundreds of branches after running out of chicken in a logistics fiasco that caused significant consumer backlash.
Drug companies have been asked to ensure they have an additional six-week supply of drugs to cope with any disruption linked to a no-deal Brexit.
Speaking in the Commons, Lucas said: “In the event of a no-deal Brexit the Government has just decided that imports of medical supplies are to be handled by the same company that forced hundreds of restaurants to close because it was incapable of delivering chicken to KFC.
“It is horrifying that the PM’s stubbornness is literally putting people’s lives at risk through bargain bucket supply deals.
“So what guarantee can she give to patients who are watching us now, looking at this pantomime and farce in this House now, that they will be able to get their vital medicines when they need them in the event of that no-deal Brexit?”
Under No Deal #Brexit vital medical imports will be handled by company that was incapable of delivering chicken to KFC.
— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) 27 February 2019
PM's stubbornness is putting lives at risk.
What guarantee can she give to patients that they'll get vital medicines in event of No Deal? My question at #PMQs pic.twitter.com/TJS9wydxb9
A Department of Health spokesman said DHL has been used to carry NHS goods across the border for more than ten years.
“This is a misleading comparison – DHL is one of the biggest logistics companies in the world and since 2006 has provided services for a range of products for the NHS,” they said.
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