Carol Vorderman has launched a new investigation into the Government, accusing it of “secrecy and denial” over the Covid procurement VIP lane.
The TV presenter teamed up with the Good Law Project to publish an analysis that claims that the Government’s fast track lanes awarded contracts that were “inflated by at least £925 million”.
According to internal documents from the Department of Health and Social Care, seen by Good Law Project, VIP lane suppliers were paid on average 80 per cent more per unit than other suppliers. Some contracts were agreed at more than four times the average unit price.
The group claims that a quarter of the money awarded through the VIP lane was wasted on equipment that couldn’t be used.
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Last year, Spotlight on Corruption revealed that VIP firms supplied £1bn worth of PPE that was not fit for purpose, amounting to 26 per cent of the money spent in this way.
Hitting out at the Government, Vorderman said: “Rachel Reeves, Shadow Chancellor, has promised that if Labour comes to power she will immediately appoint a Covid Corruption Commissioner. I look forward to that.
“The profiteering from the pandemic through the VIP Lane, and the Government secrecy and denial about it, angers so many of us.
“When children were using their little 3D printers to help, and others were doing all they could, the attitude of government was astonishing.
“They have issued no apologies. We aren’t letting it go. If we did, then what have we all become?”
Meanwhile, Jo Maugham, Director of the Good Law Project accused Government ministers of “doing the best for their mates”.
He said: “Instead of focusing on getting legitimate suppliers through the door, ministers were doing the best for their mates – handing out contracts at four times the going rate.
“And turning up a mountain of duff PPE. And so far we’ve seen zero contrition at the Covid inquiry.
“Recovering the billions wasted and pursuing those who made a fortune while ordinary people suffered is an obvious first step for an incoming administration.
“We will support a future Government to claw back money from Covid contracts.”
Carol Vorderman has been a vocal critic of the Conservative Government, leaving the BBC last month after the broadcaster tightened up its impartiality guidance.
Earlier this year, she launched a blistering attack on Rishi Sunak after he watered down the UK’s approach to net zero.
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The TV presenter hit out at Sunak after he announced a number of climate policies would be scrapped, accusing him of lying about the existence of newly-axed policies
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The TV presenter hit out at Sunak after he announced a number of climate policies would be scrapped, accusing him of lying about the existence of newly-axed policies.
Sunak said he would bring an end to “heavy-handed policies”, including taxes on eating meat, taxes to discourage flying, being forced to sort your rubbish into seven different bins and compulsory car sharing.
But hitting back at the announcement on X, Vorderman said: “Rishi Sunak lies. New flying tax doesn’t exist. Compulsory car sharing doesn’t exist. Mandatory insulation upgrade doesn’t exist.”
She added: “Mind you, a recycling bin each for Dozy, Nasty, Dodgy, Greedy, Shouty and Bully at GE is a grand idea”.
