Johnson government wasted £10bn on PPE, Covid inquiry finds
7 reported2 unconfirmed
An official inquiry has concluded that Boris Johnson’s government wasted £10bn of public money through flawed purchasing of personal protective equipment during the coronavirus pandemic. Inquiry chair Heather Hallett criticized the “VIP lane” that gave high priority for PPE contracts to companies with political connections to the Conservative Party. The most high-profile case involved PPE Medpro, a company linked to former Conservative peer Michelle Mone, which was awarded contracts worth £203m after Mone approached then-Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove. Hallett’s findings on PPE Medpro will not be published until after any criminal proceedings by the National Crime Agency conclude. The report states that of approximately £14.9bn spent on PPE, nearly two-thirds was wasted, with £4.2bn paid on VIP lane contracts. Hallett made 11 recommendations to prevent similar waste and favoritism in future pandemics.
What’s reported
The inquiry found £10bn of public money was wasted on PPE procurement.
The “VIP lane” gave priority to companies with political connections to the Conservatives.
PPE Medpro, linked to former Conservative peer Michelle Mone, received £203m in contracts.
Hallett’s findings on PPE Medpro are withheld pending a National Crime Agency investigation.
Of £14.9bn spent on PPE, nearly two-thirds (£10bn) was wasted.
£4.2bn was paid on VIP lane PPE contracts.
The inquiry made 11 recommendations for future pandemic procurement.
Open questions
The specific findings of the inquiry regarding PPE Medpro, which are not yet published.
Whether any criminal charges will result from the National Crime Agency investigation.
Key figures
Heather Hallett, Covid-19 inquiry chair and former court of appeal judge
Boris Johnson, former prime minister
Michelle Mone, former Conservative peer
Michael Gove, former Cabinet Office minister
Pete Weatherby KC, lawyer for Covid Bereaved Families for Justice
Matt Hancock, former health secretary
Theodore Agnew, former Cabinet Office minister
Sources: The Guardian
