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With Christmas just around the corner, the UK has suffered a record rise to 4.8% unemployment since September due to Covid-19, and is now facing the worst recession in Europe.
But for those with the right contacts in government, 2020 has told a very different story. THREAD:
But for those with the right contacts in government, 2020 has told a very different story. THREAD:
@allthecitizens and @bylinetimes have teamed up to catalogue the 12 most flagrant and shocking abuses of public funds spent on PPE procurement since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Presenting, the 12 Contracts of Christmas:
Presenting, the 12 Contracts of Christmas:
1. Saiger LLC - (up to) £389 million
Saiger, who's director owns a firm specialising in selling fashion accessories, won multiple PPE supply contracts, and as revealed by the BBC paid a go-between £21 million in tax-payer cash to help source the items. https://bylinetimes.com/2020/11/12/miami-vice-florida-fashion-designer-awarded-new-ppe-contracts-worth-197-million/
Saiger, who's director owns a firm specialising in selling fashion accessories, won multiple PPE supply contracts, and as revealed by the BBC paid a go-between £21 million in tax-payer cash to help source the items. https://bylinetimes.com/2020/11/12/miami-vice-florida-fashion-designer-awarded-new-ppe-contracts-worth-197-million/
2. Luxe Lifestyle Ltd - £25 million
In April, Luxe Lifestyle was awarded a £25 million contract for PPE supply to the NHS. The business was incorporated by fashion designer Karen Brost in 2018. However, the firm has no employees, no assets, or turnover. https://bylinetimes.com/2020/07/17/recruitment-firm-defends-18-million-ppe-contract/
In April, Luxe Lifestyle was awarded a £25 million contract for PPE supply to the NHS. The business was incorporated by fashion designer Karen Brost in 2018. However, the firm has no employees, no assets, or turnover. https://bylinetimes.com/2020/07/17/recruitment-firm-defends-18-million-ppe-contract/
3. Globus Shetland - £93.8 million
Firm which has donated £400,000 to the Conservatives, owned by Tory donor and Leaders Group member Haraldur Agustsson, was awarded a huge contract to supply PPE. It's donations to the party saw a marked uptake in 2019. https://bylinetimes.com/2020/09/21/government-ppe-deals-conservatives-364-million/
Firm which has donated £400,000 to the Conservatives, owned by Tory donor and Leaders Group member Haraldur Agustsson, was awarded a huge contract to supply PPE. It's donations to the party saw a marked uptake in 2019. https://bylinetimes.com/2020/09/21/government-ppe-deals-conservatives-364-million/
4. P14 Medical - £276 million
Loss-making firm run by former Conservative councillor Steve Dechan won 3 contracts to supply gowns. Dechan, who resigned amid scrutiny of the contracts, has just purchased an early Christmas present, a 17th century mansion. https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/dark-money-investigations/government-accused-of-cronyism-after-tory-councillor-wins-156m-covid-contract/
Loss-making firm run by former Conservative councillor Steve Dechan won 3 contracts to supply gowns. Dechan, who resigned amid scrutiny of the contracts, has just purchased an early Christmas present, a 17th century mansion. https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/dark-money-investigations/government-accused-of-cronyism-after-tory-councillor-wins-156m-covid-contract/
5. Randox - £480 million
Having won 2 contracts; for testing kits which were later recalled, and implementation of a “UK Covid-19 Testing Strategy”, Randox lists among its staff former Tory MP Owen Paterson, now a Randox consultant paid £100,000 per year https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/04/tory-linked-firm-involved-in-testing-failure-awarded-new-347m-covid-contract
Having won 2 contracts; for testing kits which were later recalled, and implementation of a “UK Covid-19 Testing Strategy”, Randox lists among its staff former Tory MP Owen Paterson, now a Randox consultant paid £100,000 per year https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/04/tory-linked-firm-involved-in-testing-failure-awarded-new-347m-covid-contract
6. The Plymouth Brethren - £1.1 billion
21 companies linked to an evangelical sect, the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, with lobbying and volunteering ties to the Conservatives, received 49 PPE contracts amounting to over a billion in public funds. https://bylinetimes.com/2020/11/18/plymouth-exclusive-brethren-ppe-contracts-uk-government/
21 companies linked to an evangelical sect, the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, with lobbying and volunteering ties to the Conservatives, received 49 PPE contracts amounting to over a billion in public funds. https://bylinetimes.com/2020/11/18/plymouth-exclusive-brethren-ppe-contracts-uk-government/
7. EMS Healthcare - £5.5 million
EMS Healthcare were contracted to supply mobile testing units in September. Chairman Iain Johnston is a former business partner of Shirley and Robert Carter; mother / step-father of the Health Secretary Matt hancock. https://bylinetimes.com/2020/12/10/covid-testing-deal-awarded-firm-with-links-matt-hancock-family/
EMS Healthcare were contracted to supply mobile testing units in September. Chairman Iain Johnston is a former business partner of Shirley and Robert Carter; mother / step-father of the Health Secretary Matt hancock. https://bylinetimes.com/2020/12/10/covid-testing-deal-awarded-firm-with-links-matt-hancock-family/
8. Hinpack (Alex Bourne) - £30 million
Also linked to the Health Secretary, Hinpack, owned by the ex-landlord of his local pub, who reportedly first got in touch with the Health Secretary via Whatsapp. Hinpack previously made disposable catering items. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/dec/01/matt-hancock-under-pressure-to-explain-30m-test-tube-work-for-ex-neighbour
Also linked to the Health Secretary, Hinpack, owned by the ex-landlord of his local pub, who reportedly first got in touch with the Health Secretary via Whatsapp. Hinpack previously made disposable catering items. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/dec/01/matt-hancock-under-pressure-to-explain-30m-test-tube-work-for-ex-neighbour
9. Pestfix - £349.2 million
One of the big winners of 2020, Pestfix were included on the Government's VIP supply lane “by mistake”, before landing huge contracts. @GoodLawProject is now taking the government to court over the award of these dubious deals. https://goodlawproject.org/update/more-money-to-pestfix/
One of the big winners of 2020, Pestfix were included on the Government's VIP supply lane “by mistake”, before landing huge contracts. @GoodLawProject is now taking the government to court over the award of these dubious deals. https://goodlawproject.org/update/more-money-to-pestfix/
10. PPE Medpro - £122 million
In existence for just 44 days, registered in the tax haven the Isle of Man, PPE Medpro received huge sums to supply gowns, with no history of dealing in PPE. The firm has links via it's directors to tory peer Baroness Mone. https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/handing-122m-ppe-contract-to-tory-peer-associate-is-the-definition-of-corruption-mp-says/09/10/
In existence for just 44 days, registered in the tax haven the Isle of Man, PPE Medpro received huge sums to supply gowns, with no history of dealing in PPE. The firm has links via it's directors to tory peer Baroness Mone. https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/handing-122m-ppe-contract-to-tory-peer-associate-is-the-definition-of-corruption-mp-says/09/10/
11. Meller Designs - £171 million
Meller Designs, a firm owned by Tory donor David Meller, were issued 7 PPE contracts, despite primarily selling home products to high street retailers.
Meller was also finance chair of Michael Gove's 2016 leadership bid. https://bylinetimes.com/2020/09/18/firm-meller-designs-conservative-donor-nets-millions-government-ppe-deals/
Meller Designs, a firm owned by Tory donor David Meller, were issued 7 PPE contracts, despite primarily selling home products to high street retailers.
Meller was also finance chair of Michael Gove's 2016 leadership bid. https://bylinetimes.com/2020/09/18/firm-meller-designs-conservative-donor-nets-millions-government-ppe-deals/
12. Ayanda Capital - £252.2 million
Finally, Ayanda Capital, a "currency trading" firm awarded a contract for the supply of unusable face masks, a deal brokered by Ayanda advisor Andrew Mills, while he also sat on the government's Board of Trade. https://www.itv.com/news/2020-11-18/ceo-of-firm-that-brokered-253-million-ppe-deal-says-conscience-is-clear
Finally, Ayanda Capital, a "currency trading" firm awarded a contract for the supply of unusable face masks, a deal brokered by Ayanda advisor Andrew Mills, while he also sat on the government's Board of Trade. https://www.itv.com/news/2020-11-18/ceo-of-firm-that-brokered-253-million-ppe-deal-says-conscience-is-clear
For the full @BylineTimes write up, see the link below: https://twitter.com/BylineTimes/status/1342123514258726915?s=20
Reporting from @BylineTimes, @openDemocracy, @GoodLawProject, @allthecitizens, @guardian and others has extensively covered government's cronyism and mishandling of the pandemic. To stay informed and help hold those responsible to account, follow us as the work continues in 2021.
