The Government's Use Of A 'VIP Lane' To Award PPE Contracts To Two Businesses During The First Coronavirus Pandemic Was Illegal, According To The High Court.

Angel

The Government's Use Of A 'VIP Lane' To Award PPE Contracts To Two Businesses During The First Coronavirus Pandemic Was Illegal, According To The High Court.

A judge decides that preferential treatment was offered, but given the rush for PPE in the early days of the pandemic, PestFix and Ayanda Capital were likely to get contracts regardless.

The use of a so-called VIP lane by the government to give PPE contracts to two businesses during the first COVID wave was illegal, according to the High Court.

The challenge was brought by campaign groups the Good Law Project and EveryDoctor, who claimed that the bid procedure gave people with political ties unfair preferential treatment.

They sued over contracts worth more than £340 million issued to pest control service PestFix in 2020, as well as a deal for roughly £252 million to hedge fund Ayanda Capital.

The ruling adds to the pressure on Boris Johnson and his cabinet, which is dealing with a slew of sleaze claims, with Labour alleging a "pay for access" mentality within the Conservative Party.

Mr Johnson admitted at Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons that he attended a Downing Street garden drinks party during the first lockdown, triggering calls for him to quit from opposition parties.

According to the High Court, the VIP lane for PPE contracts was reserved for referrals from MPs, ministers, and senior officials, because the Department of Health had "prioritised suppliers including PestFix and Ayanda because of who they knew, not what they could deliver" under then-Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Popular Posts

Best Anti-Inflammatory Foods Backed By Science (What to Eat For Better Health)

Angel
Image
  Inflammation isn’t always bad. In fact, it’s your body’s natural defense system—helping you heal from injuries and fight infections. But chronic inflammation is a different story. It quietly fuels conditions like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, autoimmune disorders, and even depression. The good news? What you eat every day has a powerful effect on inflammation. Let’s break down the best anti-inflammatory foods backed by real science , plus simple ways to add them to your diet without overhauling your life. What Is Chronic Inflammation (and Why It Matters)? Unlike short-term inflammation (think swelling after a cut), chronic inflammation lingers for months or years . It can be triggered by: Poor diet Chronic stress Lack of sleep Sedentary lifestyle Excess sugar and processed foods Over time, this constant “low-grade fire” damages healthy cells and tissues. That’s where anti-inflammatory foods come in—they help cool things down naturally. 1. Fatty Fish (Salmon, Sardines, Mac...
Read more

Swiss Financial And Commercial Sanctions Against Belarus Are Being Tightened

Angel
Image
As of Wednesday noon, the administration declared that providing public finance or financial help for trade with or investment in Belarus is illegal. Other limits apply to securities, loans, and deposit acceptance. Transactions with the Belarusian central bank have also been suspended. All dual-use items (civilian or military) as well as goods for the country's defense and security industry are prohibited from leaving the country. According to a government statement providing technical help, brokering services, or funding is also forbidden. Furthermore, Switzerland has expanded current import restrictions against Belarus to include wood products, rubber products, iron and steel, and cement. According to the government statement, exceptions are only permitted for humanitarian reasons. The measures are comparable to those that the EU and Switzerland have previously imposed on Russia, according to the administration. Last August, Switzerland imposed a prior set of sanctions against Be...
Read more

Here's What Makes Amal Clooney's Vacation Outfits So Darn Good

Angel
Image
Even when she's working, Amal Clooney's style is commendable. But when she's vacationing with George Clooney in Italy or Ibiza, that's when she dresses like a rock star. The 39-year-old mother of twins has a boho spirit, and her off-duty looks show it — they're finished in fringe or crochet, and Amal loves a good sandal or espadrille wedge. We vow to pack like Amal for our next trip, mostly because she knows that when you're on a getaway, it's more than OK to feel yourself in flirty dresses that show a slip of leg or fall off the shoulder. Read on for all the tips we've gleaned from admiring her outfits, then shop Amal's most trustworthy essentials.
Read more

Myanmar Diaspora In US Rally, Raise Cash In Warfare Towards Coup

Angel
Image
  People of Myanmar descent in US demand less assailable motion towards navy leaders’ February electricity snatch and focus of civilian government. The US-based activist addressed the Myanmar neighborhood in New York City, which had gathered at Union Square to protest towards February’s army coup. The electricity clutch ended a quick scan with democracy and eliminated civilian chief Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD), which gained a landslide victory in November’s election; a end result the army says is fraudulent. The coup sparked a substantial protest motion and a brutal crackdown, with the navy nevertheless unable to impenetrable full manage over the u . s . a . extra than three months later. While in prison, Nay Myint used to be subjected to harsh remedy together with bodily torture. “Between my legs they put iron shackles for two years,” he said, which brought about everlasting harm to his left leg. “But I believed I used to be in the proper position....
Read more

US Wants Major Airlines To Make Vaccines Mandatory For Staff

Angel
Image
   US federal contractors must mandate vaccines, which could impact many airlines with federal contracts.    The White House is pressuring major U.S. airlines, many of which have a number of federal contracts, to make COVID19 vaccines mandatory for employees in time to meet the deadline for federal contractors to do so, Reuters reported citing four sources.   The United States has ordered all federal contractors to get vaccinated by Dec. 8 and shows no signs of postponing the date for airline employees, Reuters said. White House   COVID19 response coordinator Jeffrey Zients spoke to CEOs of American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines on Thursday to ensure they are working quickly to develop and make meet vaccine requirements by this deadline. .   President Joe Biden last month signed an executive order requiring federal contractors to allow COVID19 injections for employees, with the White House last week setting a deadline ...
Read more

Favorite Brain Games: Keep Your Mind Sharp And Entertained

Angel
Image
Are you looking for a fun and engaging way to challenge your cognitive abilities? Look no further than brain games! These games are not only entertaining but also beneficial for keeping your mind sharp and improving your memory. In this article, we will explore some of the best brain games that you can start playing today to give your brain a workout. Sudoku: A Classic Brain Teaser Sudoku is a classic number puzzle game that requires logic and critical thinking skills to solve. The game consists of a 9x9 grid that is divided into nine 3x3 subgrids. The goal is to fill in the grid so that each row, column, and subgrid contains all of the numbers from 1 to 9 without any repetitions. Sudoku puzzles come in varying levels of difficulty, making it suitable for beginners and experts alike. Playing Sudoku regularly can help improve your concentration and problem-solving skills. Crossword Puzzles: Expand Your Vocabulary Crossword puzzles are another popular brain game that challenges your...
Read more

Man Charged After BBC Journalist Chased By Anti-Lockdown Protesters

Angel
Image
  A man has been charged after a BBC journalist was chased by anti-lockdown protesters in Westminster. Video footage confirmed Newsnight’s political editor Nicholas Watt being pursued by protesters outside Downing Street on Monday afternoon. The Metropolitan Police stated an investigation was launched after officers reviewing the recording “identified a wide variety of feasible offences”. Martin Hockridge, 57, of Harpenden, was interviewed beneath warning at a Hertfordshire police station on Tuesday. He was later charged with a public order offence and will show up at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 29 June. Detectives are appealing for the public’s assist to pick out other people who were involved in the incident. Police stated in a statement: “Officers investigating an incident in which a journalist was confronted and chased in the neighborhood of Whitehall have charged a man. “A video that has been shared extensively on social media indicates a crew of protestors pursuing the ...
Read more

The Ultimate Guide To Teething

Angel
Image
Are you a parent of a teething baby? Are you looking for ways to help ease your little one's discomfort during this challenging time? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about teething and how to help your baby through this milestone. What Is Teething? Teething is the process of a baby's first teeth emerging through the gums. This typically begins around six months of age, but can vary from one child to another. The teething process can be uncomfortable for babies and often leads to symptoms such as drooling, irritability, and swollen gums. Signs And Symptoms Of Teething Increased drooling Irritability and fussiness Swollen and sensitive gums Loss of appetite Chewing on objects Trouble sleeping How To Soothe Teething Pain There are several methods you can try to help alleviate your baby's teething discomfort: Cold objects : Give your baby a cold washcloth, teething ring, or refrigerated pacifier to help n...
Read more

Anger in Canada after discovery of round 1,000 indigenous kids as young as three in mass graves

Angel
Image
  Statues of Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth II and explorer Captain James Cook have been toppled, desecrated and damaged by a violent mob during protests throughout Canada on its national day over the country's colonial past. In scenes reminiscent of the BLM protests in the UK last year where a 'hit list' of statues was drawn up for destruction, the bronze sculptures of Britain's current monarch and her great-great grandmother in Winnipeg were hauled down, daubed with red paint and even appeared to have been strangled with Mohawk flags. With no police to be seen anywhere, protesters in orange led via members of the 'Idle No More' team campaigning for Canada Day to be cancelled, tied ropes to the necks of the statues and ripped them to the ground to chants of 'no to genocide' and 'bring her down' amid fury over the deaths of 1,000 indigenous kids discovered buried in mass graves this month. Between the 18th century and the 1970s, 150,000 indigeno...
Read more

Biden and Boris exhibit harmony after Ireland rebuke

Angel
Image
  Boris Johnson attempted play down variations with Joe Biden today at some point of their first face-to-face meeting after the US issued Britain  a tremendous diplomatic rebuke for imperiling the Northern Ireland peace process. The Times disclosed today that Yael Lempert, America’s most senior diplomat in Britain, told Lord Frost, the Brexit minister, that the government was “inflaming” tensions in Ireland and Europe with its opposition to checks at Northern Irish ports. Speaking to journalists in advance of their bilateral meeting in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, Biden stated that each he and Johnson has married above their station. Johnson married Carrie Symonds, his 33-year-old fiance, on May 29. Biden said: ''I told the prime minister we have some thing in common. We both married properly above our stations.''
Read more