Allegation of Idea Theft Over Ventilator Donations
A retired policeman and volunteer, Steve Eccleshall, who aimed to facilitate the donation of British ventilators to Ukraine, has accused a Member of Parliament (MP) of appropriating his idea to redirect the ventilators to Cuba instead.
Eccleshall stated that he had written to Labour MP Steve Witherden requesting assistance in securing the release of 40 unused ventilators from Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
However, a letter from Witherden dated three days after Eccleshall’s initial request appears to make a similar appeal to Wrexham's health board, but with the ventilators intended for donation to Cuba.
Several passages in both letters contain similar points, leading Eccleshall to accuse Witherden of plagiarism.
Witherden has not responded to requests for comment.
Background and Meeting Details
Eccleshall volunteers with Driving Ukraine, a charity that delivers vehicles and equipment to Ukraine, where he is currently active.
In a formal complaint to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, Eccleshall detailed a meeting on 6 February near the Welsh border in Powys, where he met Steve Witherden, the MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, along with then-Welsh Parliament member Russell George.
The meeting also included members of Bausley with Criggion Community Council, where Eccleshall serves as a clerk. During this meeting, Eccleshall presented Witherden and George with his letter, explaining his efforts to release approximately 40 ventilators.
These ventilators had been supplied during the Covid-19 pandemic but remained unused due to compatibility issues.
Eccleshall recalled that Witherden shook his hand, congratulated him on his aid efforts for Ukraine, and offered to assist.
Subsequent Discovery and Letter Details
Eccleshall later discovered that Witherden had submitted his own letter requesting the ventilators, obtained via an NHS source who provided Eccleshall with a copy.
The MP’s letter, dated 9 February—three days after the meeting—was written in his capacity as chairperson of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Cuba.
This letter requested that the ventilators be donated to Cuba rather than Ukraine.
Cuba has been subject to a US blockade since 1960, which was further tightened by former US President Donald Trump upon his return to office. Witherden is known to be involved with a solidarity campaign supporting the Communist-led country.
Witherden’s letter asserted that Trump’s policies, aimed at preventing oil shipments to Cuba, had exacerbated a humanitarian crisis. He noted that during a visit to Cuba in October, he learned of the country’s need for medical supplies.
Comparison of Letters and Accusations
Both letters, reviewed by BBC Wales, contain similar points.
They state that the 40 ventilators are stored in a shipping container, are incompatible with Wrexham Maelor Hospital’s systems, and were supplied by the Welsh government at the start of the pandemic.
Eccleshall expressed his feelings to BBC Wales:
"There's a trust aspect - you are my MP, I've come to you with an idea. You said you'll help me, and within three days you've stolen it.
Even if he turned around on day one and said 'look, sorry, I've got a competing interest', I wouldn't have been happy.
But there wasn't much I could do about it. But to actually steal the whole concept and not say anything, I think is just dishonest."
Formal Complaint and Health Board Response
In his complaint to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, Eccleshall stated that Witherden’s letter placed Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in a difficult position.
He added:
"The people of Ukraine and Cuba both lose out because of Witherden's duplicity and dishonesty."
The health board confirmed it had received requests to consider donating the medical equipment to both Ukraine and Cuba.
It stated:
"We are currently assessing the financial and governance implications of any potential donation as the items are currently valued as assets of the health board."
"We will contact the Welsh government following our internal review of these requests."
The board also confirmed that the ventilators remain in storage and are not currently usable, although ophthalmic equipment requested is being evaluated for clinical use.
Welsh Government Statement
A Welsh government spokesperson said that approval is required to donate such assets and that no formal request had yet been received from the health board.
