"More viable options for PPE contracts were obstructed by & #39;VIP lane& #39;, Court told."

The Govt& #39;s controversial & #39;VIP Lane& #39; for PPE deals was "Obstructing progress of more viable "Opportunities" in the early stages of the pandemic, the High Court heard today. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🏴‍☠️" title="Piraten-Flagge" aria-label="Emoji: Piraten-Flagge">

The Department of Health and Social Care is facing a legal claim over the way £650 million worth of contracts to three companies were agreed, including for the supply of NHS masks and gowns.

Court papers reveal a private WhatsApp group of CEOs & a similar group for leading procurement executives were used to line up deals for PPE.

Offers that entered the "VIP Lane" - for firms with political connections - were responded to "Within the hour", internal emails reveal.

However a report on April 20, 2020 stated: "VIP escalation is obstructing progress of more viable opportunities for large/scalable manufacturers."

The details emerged today at the latest hearing of the Good Law Project’s challenge to Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Trade Minister @GregHands is said to have had "Involvement" in the contract award to Ayanda, a hedge fund with ties to the Conservative Party.

Article: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/ppe-pestfix-ayanda-matt-hancock-good-law-project-greg-hands-b932404.html">https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/p...