Tory peer introduced PPE firm to government after Cameron text, Covid inquiry hears | Covid inquiry
He presented the governor of a company participated in the government to provide personal protection equipment after contacting it for the first time David Cameron Through a text message, he heard the general investigation Covid-19.
Investigation Hear evidence this week On the government’s spending of billions of pounds on medical supplies during the crisis, including its use of “VIP Lane”, which gave high priority to companies with political connections and gave them PPE 3.8 billion pounds.
The investigation is studying two contracts worth 50 million pounds granted to employ SG to clarify how VIP Lane works. The first contract was granted just one week after the Conservative Party, Peter Jomer, who is close to the title of the counterpart, Lord Chancengton, to Cameron. Chuerington was the head of the shareholder in the parent company, Sumner Group Holdings (SGH), registered in Jersey.
Email messages and messages published by the inquiry In a written presentation, he showed that Cameron gave Chentlington his phone number to the other conservative party, Andrew Feldman, an intimate friend of the former Prime Minister, who was recommended by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (DHSC) regarding the purchase of personal protection equipment.
On the same day, Caltington Feldman wrote, “Andrew. I am working with a company with personal protection equipment. D says you are helping. Will I put you in contact? Peter.” Feldmman answered positively, and Gallelington gave his new DHSC e -mail address.
Calvington then sent an e -mail that advanced Feldman to David Somner, the majority shareholder and CEO of SGH, which was revealed to the guardian in response to a request for freedom of information.
Chrusington wrote, “David”, addressing Somner, and copying them alike. “This is my friend Andrew Feldman. He can help you with the personal protection equipment that we discussed this morning. Show me a series. Peter.”
Somner has followed writing to Feldman PPE presentation, which Feldman sent to civil service employees who occupy “VIP Lane”. Feldman told them that he was: “An interesting offer from David Somner, who gave me Lord Caltington.”
Email messages I published this week before Covid inquiry It showed that Somner updated the Chancengton, who was encouraged, and told Somner on April 21, 2020: “Excellent. It seems that you have an internal path. Good luck.”
On April 26, 2020, Chrchington wrote to Somner: “You must … talk to the capital [David Cameron] And to Valddman – they were hitting us on this and I want to say thanks for the support. “
A week after the Cameroon’s first approach to Cameroon, DHSC SG RECRUITMENT granted a contract 23.9 million pounds, to provide the cover. Then on May 28, 2020, the company obtained a second contract, For 26.1 million pounds, to supply hand inflammation.
When the second contract was signed, Somner sent WhatsApp message to Chadlington, saying: “The handicraft contract and signing it! 135 million dollars of revenue under the contract from DHSC for the two -decade contracts!” Chamington replied, “Wonderful news,” and indicated that this will enhance the company’s share price.
The messages documenting the participation of Certainington have been published in A written submission to the investigation By the broken Covid-19 families for justice, a group of 7,000 families whose relatives died of the Coronav virus. Family lawyers, Pete Weatherby KC made very critical statements about VIP Lane.
Chadington’s involvement was investigated by the House of Lords Commissioner for Standards in 2022 and 2023, after informing the Guardian.
“I was not the easiest introduction (I did not call even Mr. Somner or a company), and I did not seek to take advantage of my position as a member of the House of Lords. The extent of my participation was to pass the email address of Roses Ferdman to Mr. Somner.”
In his evidence for the commissioner, and in letters from his lawyer in response to questions from the guardian, Chamington did not say that he sent an email to Somner, which was copied directly in Valddman, to present it. This e -mail is only public now.
Delegate Chardington cleansing In both cases of breaking any rules that control the behavior of their peers.
In their presentation, the wandered families said: “The members of the public are entitled to form their own opinions on whether the correspondence that was revealed to investigate in relation to this contract is consistent with the accounts presented by Lord Caltington elsewhere.”
In response to questions from The Guardian, Chardington’s lawyers said: “Our client was consistent in his contacts to the Lunders of Lords for standards and in the communications of this company with you on his behalf. The Email of Roses Feldman presented to Mr. Somner in his email dated April 19, 2020. He did not support or in any way defending Mr. Somner: He linked two people simply, then then He removed himself from the subsequent email exchange.
Covid has not yet been investigated in the full Chadlington Etisalat referred to in the requests of the bereaved families, or the statement of the witness.
A spokesman for Lord Feldman confirmed that in April 2020, he received the text of Chrchington and e -mail, but he said he had not remembered any other connection. He denied, “Any suggestion that Lord Feldman was” hit for “any specific resource.” Cameron did not respond to a comment.
The government said this He is in conflict With the SG employment not to obfusted for one of the contracts. Despite PPE deals worth 50 million pounds, in December 2023, the company, which was renamed, was renamed, It was placed in the liquidationDue to the unpaid taxes to HMRC. The parent company entered the liquidation in October 2022. Certainington resigned as director in April 2021.
The UK Anti -Corruption Alliance said in the investigation evidence this week that no other country has been found priority to COVID contracts for politically connected companies.
