The Home Secretary has apologised over failings on personal protective equipment (PPE) during the coronavirus crisis.

When pressed repeatedly to say sorry to NHS workers over a lack of PPE, Priti Patel said: ‘I’m sorry if people feel there have been failings.’

After being asked twice if she would apologise to NHS staff and their families over the lack of ‘necessary PPE’, she said: ‘I’m sorry if people feel that there have been failings. I will be very, very clear about that. But at the same time, we are in an unprecedented global health pandemic right now.’

The comments come after repeated complaints from NHS staff and medical experts that there has been a shortage of specialist equipment, which has been putting lives at risk.

Ms Patel continued: ‘It is inevitable that the demand and the pressures on PPE and demand for PPE are going to be exponential. They are going to be incredibly high.

‘And of course we are trying to address that as a government.’

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