The SNP has said the Tory government’s decision to shut a coronavirus testing centre to make way for a Brexit lorry park shows the Tories have “all the wrong priorities”.
Dr Philippa Whitford MP (pictured) said it was “beyond reckless” for Boris Johnson to impose an extreme Brexit in the middle of a global pandemic and economic crisis – and warned it would threaten jobs, the economy and people’s lives.
The SNP Shadow Health Secretary said the Tories are inflicting lasting Brexit damage on Scotland and the UK at a time when infection rates are rising, and said the priority for the UK government should be getting a grip of its coronavirus testing chaos.
Commenting, SNP Shadow Health Secretary Dr Philippa Whitford MP said:
“It is beyond reckless that Boris Johnson is imposing an extreme Brexit in the middle of a global pandemic and economic crisis – putting jobs, the economy and people’s lives on the line.
“The Tory government’s coronavirus testing regime is in chaos.
“Shutting down a testing centre to make way for a Brexit lorry park, at a time when infections are rising, shows the Tories have all the wrong priorities – and are putting their Brexit obsession ahead of public health.
“Tory ministers need to get a grip of their coronavirus testing crisis.
“They have been repeatedly warned about the lasting damage they are causing by inflicting Brexit at this time.
“Scotland has been completely ignored by Westminster throughout the Brexit process, while the UK Internal Market Bill adds an attack on the principle of devolution to all the other challenges that are looming.
“It is clearer than ever that the only way to protect Scotland’s interests and our place in Europe is to become an independent country.”
