Facts

At a coronavirus press briefing, Robert Jenrick claimed that a very large consignment of PPE was due to arrive in the UK tomorrow from Turkey, which “amounted to 84 tonnes of PPE and will include for example, 400,000 gowns”, describing it as “a very significant additional shipment.”

However, according to Sky News, Britain only made a formal request to Turkey over a consignment of personal protective equipment the day after Jenrick claimed a "very significant additional shipment" was already heading to the UK. 

The first batch of the consignment did not arrive until 4 days later. 

According to later reports, the figure of 400,000 was also a huge overestimate. Turkish sources told Middle East Eye that the Turkish company approached by the UK would only provide 2,500 gowns. 

Verdict

Robert Jenrick’s detailed statement that a “Very large consignment of PPE” was due to arrive in Britain from Turkey was swiftly challenged by Sky News and Middle East Eye. We approached Robert Jenrick to explain what happened and have so far received no response.