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Corruption? High Court rules UK Gov’t broke own law over COVID contracts!

- UK Gov’t was found to have failed to reveal coronavirus PPE contracts worth billions of pounds
The UK Government is required by law to publish a 'contract award notice' within 30 days of the award of any contracts for public goods or services worth more than £120,000. Photo: Pickfords
The High Court in the United Kingdom (UK) has ruled that the country’s Health Secretary, Matthew J. D. Hancock aka ‘Matt’, unlawfully failed to publish details of billions of pounds' worth of coronavirus-related contracts. Photo: daily Mail
The High Court in the United Kingdom (UK) has ruled that the country’s Health Secretary, Matthew J. D. Hancock aka ‘Matt’, unlawfully failed to publish details of billions of pounds' worth of coronavirus-related contracts. Photo: daily Mail
The UK Government led by Prime Minister Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson ‘aka ‘Boris’ has faced repeated claims of cronyism over its £18billion rush to source PPE and other equipment during the COVID crisis, with ministers criticised for handing lucrative contracts to personal contacts with no experience in the sector. Photo: Internet Source
The UK Government led by Prime Minister Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson ‘aka ‘Boris’ has faced repeated claims of cronyism over its £18billion rush to source PPE and other equipment during the COVID crisis, with ministers criticised for handing lucrative contracts to personal contacts with no experience in the sector. Photo: Internet Source
The UK Government was found to have failed to reveal coronavirus PPE contracts worth billions of pounds. Photo: Internet Source
The UK Government was found to have failed to reveal coronavirus PPE contracts worth billions of pounds. Photo: Internet Source
LONDON, United Kingdom- While the United Kingdom Government seems bent on labelling the Virgin Islands as corrupt to the extent that it has backed a controversial Commission of Inquiry into governance, it has been found to not be without sin as the High Court in the United Kingdom (UK) has ruled that the country’s Health Secretary, Matthew J. D. Hancock aka ‘Matt’, unlawfully failed to publish details of billions of pounds' worth of coronavirus-relate

The UK Government has faced repeated claims of cronyism over its £18billion rush to source PPE and other equipment during the COVID-19 crisis, with ministers criticised for handing lucrative contracts to personal contacts with no experience in the sector.

The Good Law Project took legal action against the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) for its 'wholesale failure' to disclose details of contracts agreed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The UK Government is required by law to publish a 'contract award notice' within 30 days of the award of any contracts for public goods or services worth more than £120,000.

Cronyism?

According to the Mirror, a UK publication, the breach applied to “a substantial number of cases" - 217 out of 520 relevant contracts leading up to October 2020.

It reported that several contracts were awarded to people or companies with links to either the minister personally or the Conservative Party.

Further, according to the same publication, a National Audit Office report found there was a "high-priority" lane for firms recommended by "government officials, ministers’ offices, MPs and members of the House of Lords, senior NHS staff and other health professionals."

And according to the Daily Mail on February 19, 2021, at a hearing earlier this month, the Good Law Project and three MPs - Labour's Debbie Abrahams, the Green Party's Caroline Lucas and Liberal Democrat Layla Moran - argued there had been a 'dismal' failure by the DHSC to comply with the obligation.

Where is the transparency?

They also claimed the Government was breaching its own transparency policy, which requires the publication of details of public contracts worth more than £10,000.

In a ruling on Friday, February 19, 2021, Mr Justice Chamberlain said: 'There is now no dispute that, in a substantial number of cases, the Secretary of State breached his legal obligation to publish contract award notices within 30 days of the award of contracts.

'There is also no dispute that the Secretary of State failed to publish redacted contracts in accordance with the transparency policy.'

Historic failure by UK Gov’t

The judge said that the obligations to publish details of such contracts 'serve a vital public function and that function was no less important during a pandemic'.

He added: 'The Secretary of State spent vast quantities of public money on pandemic-related procurements during 2020.

'The public were entitled see who this money was going to, what it was being spent on and how the relevant contracts were awarded.

The judge said it was 'understandable that attention was focused on procuring what was thought necessary to save lives'.

But he added that the DHSC's 'historic failure' to comply with the obligations to publish contracts because of the difficulties caused by the pandemic was 'an excuse, not a justification'.

Indictment ‘should spell the end of the culture of cronyism’

Ms Abrahams said in a tweet: 'The significance of this ruling cannot be underestimated. It seems odd having to make this point but the Government must act within the law when awarding contracts.'

Ms Lucas said: 'This indictment of Government secrecy should spell the end of the culture of cronyism which has swallowed billions of pounds of public money during COVID crisis.'

31 Responses to “Corruption? High Court rules UK Gov’t broke own law over COVID contracts!”

  • curuption (02/03/2021, 15:32) Like (35) Dislike (3) Reply
    Great example UK....be careful now pointing fingers..
  • tretretrete (02/03/2021, 15:38) Like (42) Dislike (4) Reply
    I tell u is them write the book of theif..lolmao.
    It in there nature...

  • Robber duck (02/03/2021, 15:39) Like (35) Dislike (8) Reply
    They should be ashamed of themselves here is the bvi causing mischief

    Down with the oppressor man
  • Bvi gov office (02/03/2021, 15:40) Like (25) Dislike (2) Reply
    Shame on u my load boris .shame on u ..now how can I reprimand those guys from the P party ..
  • So what (02/03/2021, 15:49) Like (42) Dislike (9) Reply
    And how does this make the VI less guilty or not guilty of corruption?
    Grow up and develop a moral compass . Fingerpointing is indicative of personalities and mindsets of criminals.
    What are you or can you do about the UK and what responsibility or concern is it of yours... Handle your responsibility and pay attention to your own house for chrissakes.
    Humiliating and revealing of reality of VI current Governance .
    • @ so what (02/03/2021, 16:25) Like (11) Dislike (9) Reply
      The point of this article as I read it was to point out the racist hypocrisy of the United Kingdom. In fact they have no moral compass to judge the people of the bvi so go sit down with your bullying uk
    • Well said (02/03/2021, 16:29) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
      Well said. All government the world over will have elements of corruption involve. Because they are humans not angels.
      And if BVI wants to bury their heads in the sand and claim there is no corruption here, time will tell. Pointing fingers saying others are corrupt do not free BVI of corruption.
    • @ so what (02/03/2021, 17:32) Like (3) Dislike (19) Reply
      The Head of an organization could reprimand their management and other staff no different than the UK reprimanding those in position who bend the rules.

      Tired of the pettiness.
  • Youth (02/03/2021, 16:03) Like (41) Dislike (5) Reply
    I am ashame of the UK.
  • facts (02/03/2021, 16:05) Like (51) Dislike (4) Reply
    The UK is so corrupt but here in these islands pretending as if they are integrity police.
  • omg (02/03/2021, 16:06) Like (32) Dislike (4) Reply
    The UK (the pot) calling the OTs (the kettle) BLACK.
  • My Take (02/03/2021, 16:07) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    Now it is clear that there's no justice when the UK is wrong.
  • my people (02/03/2021, 16:09) Like (5) Dislike (14) Reply
    The BVI does not want independence. WE NEED INDEPENDENCE!!!
    • Yes. (02/03/2021, 16:19) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      They got caught wasting and stealing tax payers money in the name of Covid.. That is exactly what the COI is trying to find out about our government....All over leaders are oppressing people, stealing tax payers money all in the name of covid...
  • right (02/03/2021, 16:10) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    What a surprise. The UK has always been and still is the moral compass for the world.
  • Reasercher (02/03/2021, 16:11) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    Please note the UK is one of the most corrupt places on earth but no one hides it better than them.
  • right (02/03/2021, 16:15) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
    The UK is not after the BVI because of corruption. It’s because of power and control. They just love the colonial rule. That’s where they weak backside feel powerful.
  • Why (02/03/2021, 16:18) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    So why is this relevant.. You just want to say the UK corrupt. Anything to cloud the people of the VI minds against you all. Tired of this gov
    • @ why (02/03/2021, 17:35) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
      It’s like they have someone digging for info on the UK tit for tat to steer us away from speaking but we will not be silenced as we have been stifled all these years
  • Connor (02/03/2021, 16:27) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Keep fighting for justice bvi we the quiet majority are with you!!!
  • Rubber Duck (02/03/2021, 16:29) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    You know about this because a legal process is exposing it.

    Exactly the same as they want here , a legal process to expose corruption.

    What is the problem?
  • Company (02/03/2021, 16:52) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Look at corruption.
  • Rubber Duck (02/03/2021, 17:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It clear of who u are ....simple ..
  • please (02/03/2021, 18:13) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    The UK wants the COI to investigate allegations of corruption. It is not “hell bent on labeling the VI as corrupt”. The process is there to improve the country end of story.
  • Tomorrow (02/03/2021, 18:25) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
    I am not surprise they are the Masters and we are the slaves. Wake up BVI. The Brits wants be members of the House of Assembly. But it will never happen. WE SHALL OVER COME !!!!!!!!!!
  • H2O (02/03/2021, 19:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who gives a tooth. I just want running water or at least a bigger bucket to bathe my skin and public transport from West to East to.pay my water bill for the nonexistent water so that my credit won't be adversely affected. Taxi fare round trip is > $50. US dollars.
  • fact (02/03/2021, 21:12) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Vino, thanks for this information.
  • Seriusly55 (03/03/2021, 03:59) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Since you when you believe the press ? They are more corrupt than all of them and tell More lies than all. The mirror is a rag paper like some others we all know. Albeit there is slight truth in the report I really would worry about your own issues
  • Where are you now??? (03/03/2021, 16:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where you now Gus? Trying to Throw us under the bus when you and yours are CORRUPT!

    WHEN IS YOUR CRONY MUCKY MIKE LEAVING???

    UK CRONIES GALORE! GET OFF OUR NECKS AND LEAVE ALREADY!!!
  • rewrsdffds (05/03/2021, 08:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    you are all missing the point, the UK government is not above the law and will be taken to court and people will lose their jobs and an election maybe Calle if corruption is found, just like here, whats good for the goose is good for the gander so relax and enjoy the COIit will lead to independence in a decade or so, when the ship is cleared of the rats.


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