Covid-19 Contracts Serious Fraud Office 2022-02-10
2022-02-10
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Serious Fraud Office is investigating suspected fraudulent applications for covid loans, and there are concerns about the potential level of fraud involving contracts awarded by the Department of Health and Social Care during 2020-21.
What recent discussions she has had with the Serious Fraud Office on the potential level of fraud losses arising from covid-19 related contracts awarded by the Department of Health and Social Care in 2020-21?
I meet regularly with the director of the Serious Fraud Office to discuss case work and corporate matters. I can confirm that the SFO is indeed investigating a number of suspected fraudulent applications for covid loans, but I can neither confirm nor deny that it is investigating frauds specifically connected to covid-19 contracts awarded by the DHSC.
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Assessment & feedback
Confirmation or denial about specific investigations related to DHSC contracts
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Good Law Project has uncovered additional 18 VIP lane contracts, bringing the total to 68, with a value of £4.9 billion in PPE contracts. The National Audit Office head expressed concern over the potential material level of fraud losses.
What steps does the Attorney General or Minister advise should be taken to uphold the rule of law and assure the House that contracts awarded through the Government's VIP lane were not fraudulent?
It is extremely important that we do not inadvertently misrepresent a judgment made in the High Court. The court indicated that arrangements did not confer any advantage at the decision-making stage of the process, and there was sufficient financial due diligence. Without seeking to go behind this decision, it is important to place it in context. This Government will abide by the rule of law.
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Assessment & feedback
Concrete steps advised for upholding the rule of law regarding VIP lane contracts
Inadvertently Misrepresenting A Judgment
Placing It In Context Without Addressing Specific Concerns
Response accuracy