Post APy2lTFwQNW0aSj3s8 by gem_abbott@mstdn.social
 (DIR) More posts by gem_abbott@mstdn.social
 (DIR) Post #APy2lOA5MirOmqwoYC by gem_abbott@mstdn.social
       2022-11-25T15:31:12Z
       
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       Neil O’Brien MP was factually inaccurate - repeatedly - about the use of the VIP lane for PPE procurement in the Commons yesterdayHere's the link to Hansard: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2022-11-24/debates/5FBBA997-5B35-49D7-810F-0A5B402A832A/Covid-19PPEProcurementAnd here are some corrections - (bear with my attempt at a Mastodon thread)... 🧵#UKPolitics #PPE #CovidProcurement #VIPLane
       
 (DIR) Post #APy2lPFRKIjm9kSbXE by gem_abbott@mstdn.social
       2022-11-25T15:33:11Z
       
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       First up - VIP lane referrals did NOT go through the same process as everyone else - that’s *precisely* why the High Court found the VIP Lane to be unlawfulIn particular:- VIP treatment sped up the process, which meant offers were considered sooner in a context where timing was critical- VIPs’ hands were held throughoutYou can read the judgment in the relevant case here: https://goodlawproject.org/update/high-court-vip-lane-ppe-unlawful/#UKPolitics #PPE #CovidProcurement #VIPLane
       
 (DIR) Post #APy2lQ823KPEt40Ccy by gem_abbott@mstdn.social
       2022-11-25T15:34:58Z
       
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       Secondly, O'Brien claimed that due diligence was “done on all those cases in the same way” - also untrueThere *was* an 8-stage due diligence process for contracts awarded from 4th May 2020 - but TWO THIRDS of the contracts awarded before this process was put in place went to VIPs!#UKPolitics #PPE #CovidProcurement #VIPLanehttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/06/at-least-46-vip-lane-ppe-deals-awarded-before-formal-due-diligence-in-place
       
 (DIR) Post #APy2lQgPzTuabi5fE0 by gem_abbott@mstdn.social
       2022-11-25T15:36:36Z
       
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       Thirdly, if Neil O'Brien wants us to believe that PPE Medpro went through a standardised due diligence process, well, he might want to double check the party lineBecause back in May, Edward Argar was able to say only that “due diligence checks were appropriate given the circumstances” for PPE Medpro#UKPolitics #PPE #CovidProcurement #VIPLane #PPEMedpro #MichelleMonehttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/may/02/labour-says-government-refusal-to-publish-ppe-firms-contracts-reeks-of-cover-up
       
 (DIR) Post #APy2lRONM34co2elk0 by gem_abbott@mstdn.social
       2022-11-25T15:37:47Z
       
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       Lastly, Neil O’Brien wants us to believe that VIPs were referred by MPs across the houseBut as we showed at Good Law Project, no other political party *successfully* referred companies via the VIP LaneWhich seems an almighty coincidence!#UKPolitics #PPE #CovidProcurement #VIPLane #PPEMedpro #MichelleMonehttps://goodlawproject.org/conservative-politicians-vip-lane/
       
 (DIR) Post #APy2lS7kdLMz4lt0T2 by amerika@noagendasocial.com
       2022-11-25T16:18:55Z
       
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       @gem_abbott Democracy is a giant failure, a suspiciously stinky lump under the sheets.
       
 (DIR) Post #APy2lTFwQNW0aSj3s8 by gem_abbott@mstdn.social
       2022-11-25T15:40:11Z
       
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       So, there were multiple factual inaccuracies on the VIP lane in the Commons yesterday - I wonder if Neil O'Brien will correct the record?Because as Spotlight on Corruption reported, 59% of all money awarded to VIPs was spent on PPE unfit for purposeFailure by Government ministers to be accurate now only worsens the stench that surrounds pandemic procurement#UKPolitics #PPE #CovidProcurement #VIPLane #PPEMedpro #MichelleMonehttps://www.spotlightcorruption.org/half-of-vip-lane-companies-supplied-ppe-worth-1-billion-that-was-not-fit-for-purpose/