The government has been “unable to locate a formal note” of what was said in a call between health minister Lord Bethell and Covid contractor Randox. Owen Paterson, who quit as MP amid controversy over his paid lobbying for Randox, was also on the call.
The government has promised to publish the minutes of what was said after opposition demands.
During a debate in the Commons, Health Minister Gillian Keegan told MPs she had not been able to find them.
missing
Labour’s Dame Angela Eagle called it an “astonishing revelation”.Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he hoped the ministerial officials would look into this, adding: “I would expect that government meetings that take place with people around would always be minuted.”
In a statement, Randox said it would be “pleased to co-operate fully in laying before the House all the material required. Public disclosure will demonstrate the efficiency and value for money provided by Randox through contacts awarded in full compliance with government regulations at a time of national crisis,” the company added. Contrary to much of what has been written and broadcast, lobbying played no role in the awarding of these contracts."
Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner suggested the lack of minutes was in breach of the ministerial code.
She said a decision to award Randox a £347m contract “having failed to deliver on a previous £133m contract” was made after the conference call.
Of course, life is full of coincidences but some take some believing … 