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The Covid public inquiry is set to begin a crucial segment of hearings on Monday, focusing on the procurement and distribution of extensive medical supplies throughout the pandemic. An estimated £48 billion was allocated for personal protective equipment (PPE), the test and trace initiative, hospital resources, and the vaccine distribution process.
According to Transparency International, nearly 10% of the contracts were awarded to companies associated with the Conservative government that was in power during the crisis. This has raised concerns among bereaved families, who have voiced allegations of a potential “whitewash,” particularly after it was revealed that representatives from PPE supplier companies would not be summoned to provide their testimonies.
The ‘VIP lane’
This section of the inquiry is expected to hear from 50 different witnesses, including legal experts, civil servants, politicians, and advocates for transparency. Questions will revolve around the value of the contracts granted during the pandemic, spending oversight, the extent of fraudulent activities, and the measures implemented to mitigate fraud.
A focal point of the inquiry will be the controversial “VIP lane,” formally known as the high priority lane, which was established to expedite government contracts for suppliers recommended by ministers, MPs, members of the House of Lords, or other senior figures. Launched in April 2020, the initiative was a response to a pressing need for PPE to protect healthcare and social care personnel.
At the time, government officials highlighted the urgency surrounding the acquisition of PPE. A report from the National Audit Office indicated that by the end of July 2020, approximately 10% of suppliers in this high priority lane received contracts, while only about 1% of other suppliers were awarded contracts. The government placed orders for over 30 million masks, gowns, and various PPE items during the pandemic, amounting to contracts worth £14.6 billion.
This stage of the inquiry will also delve into the procurement of ventilators essential for patient care, in addition to millions of lateral flow and PCR tests.
Lobby Akinnola, who lost his father Femi—a 60-year-old fitness enthusiast without any known health issues—to Covid in April 2020, has called for accountability from individual suppliers.
Whitewash claims
Many bereaved families have expressed concerns that the inquiry is shielding PPE suppliers from necessary scrutiny, especially given the decision to exclude these companies from providing evidence. Lobby Akinnola pointed out the critical need for accountability, arguing that without the participation of suppliers, it may be impossible to ascertain what went wrong during the pandemic response.
“Covid resulted in the deaths of nearly 250,000 individuals in the UK, and failing to thoroughly investigate these matters could leave our response vulnerable in the future,” he stated.
In response, a spokesperson for the inquiry clarified that there is no need to hear from PPE firms directly, as the investigation is centered on the government’s actions in relation to the offers made by suppliers. The inquiry is not positioned to conduct criminal investigations; such matters fall under law enforcement’s jurisdiction.
Furthermore, the inquiry has decided that any sensitive information regarding PPE Medpro—a supplier linked to Baroness Michelle Mone and her spouse Doug Barrowman—will be handled privately to prevent interfering with any ongoing criminal investigations.
Chairwoman of the inquiry, Baroness Hallett, has already taken testimony on numerous topics, including pandemic preparedness and political decision-making, the implications for the NHS, and the rollout of vaccines. Upcoming phases slated for later this year will encompass discussions on the care sector, the test and trace efforts, impacts on children, and broader economic effects.
Source
www.bbc.com