The behaviour of the EU over the vaccine would make the most ardent Europhile cringe

The EU’s sclerotic reflexes, patchy delivery of services and tendency to throw its weight around have been on display this week, writes Andrew Woodcock

By all accounts, AstraZeneca was ready to do a deal with a group of major EU states last year (Reuters)

The Covid vaccine row has not been the European Union’s finest hour.

At every step, Brussels has gone out of its way to behave in a manner calculated to make the most ardent Europhile cringe and gleeful Brexiteers declare: “We’re well out of that mess.”

While the UK – led by Kate Bingham’s vaccines task force – moved nimbly and swiftly to fund research, sign contracts and approve drugs, the EU response has been characterised by the bloc’s perennial flaws of over-centralisation, sluggishness and bluster.