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Latest 11 November 2022

NEW: Government likely to be forced to name those who referred firms onto secretive Covid testing ‘VIP’ lane

Good Law Project is a non-profit campaign organisation that uses the law for a better world.

We know that the law, in the right hands, can be a fair and decent force for good. It is a practical tool for positive change and can make amazing things happen.

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For over a year, we have worked to uncover the identities of the politically-connected companies who received preferential access to a priority route to the contracts awarded as part of the Government’s multi-billion pound Test and Trace programme.

When Good Law Project first uncovered the Government’s priority route for politically connected testing firms, Ministers strongly denied our claims:

“These claims are completely false…” a Government spokesperson said… “there was no separate ‘fast track’ process.”

However in September, following a long-standing Freedom of Information battle, we finally forced the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) – which oversaw the testing procurement process – to come clean and publish the names of the firms who benefited.

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But, one crucial piece of information remains missing – the names of the ministers, MPs or officials who referred the firms onto the “VIP” fast-track lane.

For months, the Government has argued it would be too costly to track down the names of the referrers. An excuse we argued was baseless – and this week it seems we have been backed up by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

The ICO has ordered the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to publish the names within 35 days or issue a fresh response, or risk being found in contempt of court.

UKHSA may try to appeal, but the ICO intervention represents a significant step forward.

We will keep you posted.

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You can see the list of 50 VIP test and trace firms here. Got a tip off? You can share information with us securely here.

Good Law Project uses the law to hold power to account, protect the environment and ensure no one is left behind

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