Coronavirus: Philip Pullman says ministers should face charges if PPE supplies were delayed for ‘political reasons’

‘His Dark Materials’ author is a vocal critic of the Conservative government

Philip Pullman has written a scathing essay aimed at the UK government, criticising its failure to supply adequate PPE for British healthcare workers.

The essay, published by Penguin as part of its new series, Perspectives, claims the government should be “arranged on charges of conspiracy to murder” if it is found that MPs did not take part in the EU scheme to procure PPE for “Brexit-related reasons”.

The government previously claimed that it was unable to join the EU scheme because it had not received an email invitation.

However, it was later reported that the UK missed out on three opportunities to procure masks, gowns and gloves as part of the EU scheme.

“So they should be arraigned on charges of conspiracy to murder,” Pullman writes. “Nothing less will do. They knew the risks, and thought they’d rather appease the foaming zealots of Brexit.”

Pullman, who is a longtime critic of the Conservative government and of Brexit, also explained his view that “we must burn out the old corruption and establish a better way of living together”.

“It’s all got to change,” he says. “If we come out of this crisis with all the rickety, fly-blown, worm-eaten old structures still intact, the same vain and indolent public schoolboys in charge, the same hedge fund managers stuffing their overloaded pockets with greasy fingers, our descendants will not forgive us.”

The government has also been accused of ignoring offers to produce vital protective equipment as a shipment of PPE from Turkey was delayed.

Labour‘s Rachel Reeves said she had been “inundated” by calls from British manufacturers who have contacted the government offering to make personal protective equipment (PPE) to allow medics to safely treat coronavirus but have heard nothing back.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer warned of an “increasing gap” between what the government believes is happening and the reality on the frontline.

While Pullman said the entire front bench should resign if it is found that MPs did decline to be part of the EU scheme for “Brexit-related reasons”, he predicted no resignations would take place because the MPs involved “have not a single grain of shame”.

Health secretary Matt Hancock was forced to deny claims that ministers made a “political decision” to opt out of the scheme, following comments by a top civil servant.