PPE Order was gazumped by "major economic power" after order had been accepted.

[kiwibird]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-52091054

Finance Minister Conor Murphy has confirmed that an order for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from China was not completed.

Last week he said a joint consignment was agreed between NI and the Irish government.

But on Friday he said that the plan failed when "major economic powers entered the global race for PPE".

Meanwhile, NI will receive over five million items of PPE including goggles, aprons and masks from Great Britain.

The Health Secretary Matt Hancock made the announcement at the British government's daily press conference, where he said the order had been agreed with the Stormont executive.