Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has described how he once drew up plans to seize COVID-19 vaccines stored in the Netherlands during the height of the pandemic. The strange plan, which involved inflatable boats and covert operations, is detailed in his upcoming memoir Unleashed.
At the beginning of 2021, as COVID-19 vaccines were in high demand, Johnson faced a stalemate with Dutch officials over the release of five million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which had been produced in the UK but stored in a Dutch facility. Johnson and his team were desperate to secure the vaccines as the UK struggled to ramp up its vaccination campaign.
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The Plan to Raid the Dutch Warehouse
According to Johnson’s account, negotiations with the Netherlands over the vaccine doses reached a deadlock. Despite months of talks, no resolution was in sight, and tensions between the UK and the EU were at a low point. Frustrated with the lack of progress, Johnson reportedly began exploring more unconventional methods.
In what sounds like a scene from a spy film, Johnson considered using British troops to raid the Dutch warehouse. The plan involved sending one team on a commercial flight to Amsterdam, while another team would cross the Channel in inflatable boats under the cover of darkness. The two teams would then meet at the vaccine storage facility in Leiden, seize the doses, and transport them back to the UK using an articulated lorry.
Johnson acknowledged the absurdity of the plan in his memoir, writing, “If we are detected, we would have to explain why we were invading a NATO ally.”
A Plot That Never Happened
Fortunately, Johnson’s plan to retrieve the vaccines never materialised. He eventually abandoned the idea, recognising how “nuts” it would have been to carry out such an operation. In retrospect, Johnson reflects on the situation as one of many unusual moments during his time as Prime Minister.
The story is one of several revelations from Unleashed, which has been partially serialised by the Daily Mail ahead of its official release. The book offers a behind-the-scenes look at Johnson’s time in office, including some of the more unconventional decisions he considered during the pandemic.
A Glimpse Into Boris Johnson’s Leadership Style
This latest revelation highlights Johnson’s unconventional leadership style and his willingness to entertain outlandish ideas. Although the plan to invade Holland for vaccines was never executed, it adds another layer to the colourful legacy of the former Prime Minister.
As Johnson’s memoir is released, more insights into his decision-making during one of the most challenging periods in recent history are expected to emerge. While some may view this story as a reflection of Johnson’s creativity under pressure, others may see it as evidence of the chaotic nature of his leadership.
