UK government accused of corrupt PPE procurement
Murtaza Jaffer
Press TV, London
The UK's Parliamentary Spending Watchdogs have revealed worrying patterns within the Government’s spending in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic. Allegations of sleaze and cronyism were often downplayed but new revelations outline contracts given specifically to Tory party donors and members who’ve been accused of profiting from the pandemic.
A Growing sense of anger as revelations of sleaze and cronyism put more shame on the UK Government’s handling of the Coronavirus Pandemic.
A report by the National Audit Office has revealed a worrying trend - Almost 500 PPE suppliers with direct links to the conservative party, were fast tracked to a QUOTE “high-priority” channel to supply UK government contracts, where they were 10 times more likely to be successful.
According to the report, more than half of all government contracts were awarded in this way without tender in the first six months of the pandemic.
A separate legal case playing out in US courts has revealed the government’s use of a go between, who secured QUOTE lucrative government contracts for PPE. Leader of the opposition Keir Starmer asked Boris Johnson to elaborate during Prime ministers questions.
Johnson reiterated his pride at securing supply during a global pandemic, but this concern has been highlighted on numerous occasions.
These revelations come as the UK recorded another 598 coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours. The total number of fatalities in the UK is now 52,745, the highest in Europe. The government’s handling of the virus has been poor to say the least, but the growing focus on spending and profiteering will bring a new level of scrutiny on the government as people lose their jobs and livelihoods.
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