"The essence of social mobility is that where you come from should not determine where you get to," says the Chief Commercial Officer for the Departme.
Exclusive: Emails appear to contradict DHSC denials that it offered fast-track process for firms with political connections
Matt Hancock leading a press briefing during his time as health secretary. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Matt Hancock leading a press briefing during his time as health secretary. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Thu 15 Jul 2021 01.00 EDT
The government gave âVIP treatmentâ to a firm offering Covid testing facilities which had entered the system âinformallyâ because Matt Hancock was âa good friendâ of somebody working with the company, according to internal emails seen by the Guardian.
The Animal Health Trust (AHT) had a laboratory based in Newmarket, in the then health secretaryâs West Suffolk constituency, and much of its work focused on medical care for horses, including for the horse racing industry with which Hancock has close ties.
Firms with political connections had their bids to provide Covid tests designated as ‘fast track’, a leaked email has revealed.
A so-called VIP priority lane for personal protective equipment operated in the early stages of the pandemic – but the email suggests there was also one for the £37billion test and trace scheme.
It also shows that an official running the priority lane used a private email address – which is hugely contentious because it means vital correspondence could be withheld from civil servants and any public inquiry.
Firms with political connections had their bids to provide Covid tests and designated as ‘fast track’, a leaked email has revealed (Pictured, NHS Test and Trace employees work at a drive through testing site in Southport, north west England)
Concerns over VIP lane for Covid testing contracts after 'fast track' email revealed | Coronavirus theguardian.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theguardian.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.