Tory Alok Sharma says he's sorry 'people feel' NHS does not have enough coronavirus masks – Mirror Online, Mirror.co.uk
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A Tory Cabinet minister has said he is sorry “that people feel” key workers do not have enough life-saving protective equipment.
Alok Sharma today stopped short of a full apology as the government faced a mounting backlash over NHS staff and care workers being put at risk.
Asked by Sky News if he would apologise, the Business Secretary did not do so. Instead he said sorry for “the loss of any life”.
But he was then confronted again by the BBC over care workers who have had to wear bags over their faces for the lack of surgical masks.
He then told the Andrew Marr Show: “I’m incredibly sorry that people feel they are not able to get this equipment .
Alok Sharma today stopped short of a full apology (Image: Sky)
Mr Sharma’s phrasing matches that used yesterday by Home Secretary Priti Patel – who said: “I’m sorry if people feel that there have been failings.”
Labor accused ministers of a ” half-hearted “apology and leader Sir
Keir Starmer today said the government should apologise properly.
He told Sky News: “I think it would be smart of the government to acknowledge that their ambition … isn’t being matched and probably just to apologise for that and get on with it. “
He added:“ I want the government to get this right. I want to support the government to get this right. But we need to point out the difference between what they’re saying and the position on the front line so that it can be fixed.
“Key workers on the front line are taking risks and they’re entitled to the protection that they need. ”
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