Full Breakdown
Alleged Plagiarism Over Ventilator Donation
4/30/2026, 7:02:18 AM
Core Event
Retired police officer and Driving Ukraine volunteer Steve Eccleshall asked Labour MP Steve Witherden to help release 40 unused ventilators from Wrexham Maelor Hospital for Ukraine. Three days later, Witherden, chair of All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cuba, sent a letter requesting the equipment for Cuba. Eccleshall says the MP copied his letter and stole the idea, filing a complaint with Parliamentary Standards Commissioner.
Ventilator Background
During the COVID-19 pandemic the Welsh government supplied Wrexham Maelor Hospital with a batch of ventilators that proved incompatible with the trust’s systems and have remained stored. Eccleshall, a clerk for Bausley with Criggion Community Council, sought to repurpose them for Ukraine via Driving Ukraine.
Timeline
On 6 Feb 2024 Eccleshall met Witherden and Welsh Parliament member Russell George, presenting his letter for Ukraine. Three days later, on 9 Feb 2024, Witherden sent a letter to the health board requesting the ventilators for Cuba. Weeks later Eccleshall lodged a standards complaint while the board began an internal review.
Data & Statistics
The 40 ventilators are stored unused, valued as health-board assets, and incompatible with Wrexham Maelor’s systems. They remain in a shipping container at the hospital.
Official Statements & Responses
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board confirmed receipt of donation requests for Ukraine and Cuba and said it is assessing financial implications of transfer. The board will consult Welsh government after its review. A Welsh government spokesperson said approval is required to donate assets and that no request has been received.
Criticism & Opposition
Eccleshall calls the MP’s conduct “duplicity and dishonesty,” saying both Ukraine and Cuba lose out and that the MP’s competing interest was undisclosed, undermining constituent trust.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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.” — Steve Eccleshall, Volunteer, Driving Ukraine
- “The people of Ukraine and Cuba both lose out because of Witherden's duplicity and dishonesty,” — Steve Eccleshall, Complaint to Parliamentary Standards Commissioner
- “Witherden's letter said Trump's policy of seeking to prevent oil being shipped to Cuba had "worsened a humanitarian crisis", and that he had learned that the country was in need of medical supplies when he visited the country last October.” — Steve Witherden, Letter to Health Board (APPG on Cuba)
- “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,” — Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Witherden has not responded to media inquiries, leaving his view undocumented. The health board has not confirmed a formal donation request to Cuba, leaving the ventilators’ fate uncertain.
What's Next
The health board’s internal review will decide donation feasibility, after which Welsh government approval will be sought. The outcome will be shaped by the UK Parliament’s standards process and the board’s governance assessment.
