Video
Spain’s PM criticises ‘unjust’ quarantine decision claiming virus is worse in Britain
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his wife Maria Begona Gomez Fernandez arriving for an evening reception at Number 10. Photograph: Alastair Grant/PA. - Credit: PA
Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez has criticised the government's decision to quarantine those travelling from the country, pointing out that the numbers in his country remain lower than cases in Britain.
Sanchez described the decision as an 'error' and 'unjust', pointing out that the upsurge in coronavirus cases is focused in two regions, Catalonia and Aragon.
Speaking to Telecinco, he said: 'In my opinion the error, and what is disproportionate about the UK's response, is to consider the total accumulated incidents as if they represented the country as a whole.
'Why? Because 64% of the new cases of newly infected are focussed in two territories.
'In the great majority of the Spanish territory, it is very low, lower in fact than the rate in the UK.'
You may also want to watch:
Sanchez also hinted the decision could have been political as Brexit talks continue.
He continued: 'We are two governments that are friends and government who have many, not only commercial, connections so economic and political connections.
Most Read
- 1 EU drops vote to ratify Brexit deal after Boris Johnson 'violates' agreement
- 2 Government plans £30bn cut in NHS day-to-day spending from April
- 3 Sunlit Uplands: As shellfish war rages, the net closes around George Eustice
- 4 My very undiplomatic comments about Boris Johnson
- 5 Commons speaker lashes out at Rishi Sunak for 'dashing off' to Budget press conference
- 6 Boris Johnson: Liar of the land
- 7 Former Home Office boss settles tribunal claim against Priti Patel with 'substantial' payout
- 8 Police to investigate 'sinister graffiti' in Belfast mentioning Michael Gove
- 9 Tory MP suggests most Britons are 'economically illiterate' for supporting chancellor
- 10 Welsh first minister says UK 'is over' in blistering attacks on No 10's handling of devolution
'There are also negotiations that are happening that will be very important in the coming months for the relationship of the UK with the European Union.
'So I insist that before we have a go at each other, we must try to find a balance.'
But local government minister Simon Clarke told BBC Breakfast: 'We respectfully disagree with the Spanish government's position on this.
'We obviously continue to work closely with them and we wish them every success in managing this outbreak, but we've seen a very sharp increase in cases in Spain.
'A 75% increase in cases reported between the middle of last week and the end of last week. That's why we took the action that we have.
'Clearly, you do have to make decisions on a country-wide basis. There is going to be internal transfer within Spain and it's important that we do our utmost to protect the public.'
Labour's shadow transport secretary Jim McMahon said: 'The government's handling of this issue has been nothing short of chaotic. The airline industry and passengers need clarity.
'The government must focus support on the sectors that desperately need it, like aviation, aerospace and its supply chain, which supports almost a quarter of a million jobs, with strict climate conditions and ensuring the gains are shared with the public.'
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.