The ongoing Covid-19 public inquiry has uncovered how political connections facilitated the awarding of multibillion-pound PPE contracts during the pandemic. A Conservative peer, Lord Chadlington, introduced the government to SG Recruitment, which received two significant contracts totaling £50 million. Chadlington's correspondence with former Prime Minister David Cameron and Tory peer Andrew Feldman illustrates the use of a 'VIP lane', prioritizing companies linked to political figures for contracts. This situation raises questions about transparency and fairness in government procurement during the crisis.
"Chadlington was the chair and a shareholder in the parent company, Sumner Group Holdings (SGH), registered in Jersey. Emails and messages published by the inquiry in a written submission showed that Cameron gave Chadlington the phone number for another Tory peer, Andrew Feldman, a close friend of the former prime minister's, who was advising the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) on PPE procurement."
"On the same day Chadlington texted Feldman, writing: Andrew. I work with company with PPE. D says you are helping. Shall I put you in touch? Peter. Feldman replied positively, and gave Chadlington his new DHSC email address."
"Sumner followed up by writing to Feldman offering to supply PPE, which Feldman forwarded to civil servants operating the VIP lane. Feldman told them it was: An interesting offer from David Sumner, who was introduced to me by Lord Chadlington."
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