UK Volunteer Accuses MP of Diverting Ventilator Donation from Ukraine to Cuba

A retired UK policeman and volunteer has accused a Member of Parliament of appropriating his idea to donate unused ventilators to Ukraine, instead redirecting them to Cuba.

Steve Eccleshall, a volunteer with a charity delivering aid to Ukraine, claims he initially sought help from Labour MP Steve Witherden to secure 40 ventilators from Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

Eccleshall said he met Witherden and Welsh Parliament member Russell George on 6 February to present his request for the ventilators, which were unused due to compatibility issues after being provided during the Covid pandemic.

Following the meeting, Witherden reportedly congratulated Eccleshall and offered assistance.

However, Eccleshall later discovered that Witherden had submitted a similar request three days after their meeting, but for the ventilators to be sent to Cuba instead.

The MP's letter, dated 9 February and written in his capacity as chairperson of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cuba, cited a humanitarian crisis worsened by US sanctions and a need for medical supplies in Cuba.

The two letters contain overlapping language and points, leading Eccleshall to accuse Witherden of plagiarising his proposal.

Eccleshall has filed a complaint with the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner regarding the matter.

This dispute arises amid ongoing efforts to provide medical aid to Ukraine, where ventilators remain in demand.

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