Sir Ed Davey's attempt to give blood and help the NHS “beat the winter crisis” has been scuppered by his summer holiday to the south of France.
The Liberal Democrat leader was set to donate at the Brixton Donor Centre on Friday, but was told it could not go ahead after filling in the paperwork.
Mosquito-borne virus risk
It follows Sir Ed's recent summer family holiday to France, where some areas pose a risk of mosquitoes and mosquito-borne viruses.
The NHS asks anyone who has visited areas in southern France or the island of Corsica to wait four weeks before giving blood.
Call for national donation drive
Sir Ed was using the Brixton event to call for a national drive to “beat the winter crisis” in the NHS, through a surge in donations.
The Lib Dems have called for seasonal vaccination and blood donation points in village halls, supermarkets and workplaces, to help prevent operations being cancelled.
Winter shortfall and record A&E attendances
There is an annual shortfall in blood donations in the winter, when cold weather, illnesses and the holidays mean many donation appointments go unfilled.
It comes after England's A&Es experienced their busiest ever period, with the record-breaking heat being a key factor.
There were around 2.5 million attendances last month, with the three busiest months ever all recorded between May and July.
The Lib Dems have been contacted for comment.
