The Canary Article entitled, “Government accused of ‘suppressing’ coronavirus science for ‘political and financial gain,” exposes the current appalling level of Tory Government corruption. They report that, “The government’s handling of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic is, once again, under fire. It is facing legal action over at least £700m of controversial contracts and has been accused by the executive editor of the British Medical Journal of suppressing science for ‘political and financial gain’.” As part of their: “#FollowTheMoney series, this article looks at the allegations the government faces of operating a ‘chumocracy’ in its awarding of profitable contracts and breaching EU law by not publishing those contacts.” They say that, “Furthermore, its ‘cherry-picking’ of scientific research has led to accusations of ‘mass state corruption’. British Medical Journal (BMJ) executive editor Kamran Abbasi stated that the science surrounding coronavirus is being ‘suppressed’ by politicians and governments.”
The Canary report that, “Politicians and governments are suppressing science. They do so in the public interest, they say, to accelerate availability of diagnostic treatments. They do so to support innovation, to bring products to market at unprecedented speed. Both of these reasons are partly plausible; the greatest deceptions are founded in a grain of truth. But the underlying behaviour is troubling. Science is being suppressed for political and financial gain. Covid-19 has unleashed state corruption on a grand scale, and it is harmful to public health. The statement follows The Canary’s recent analysis which reported that leaked emails supported the claim that Public Health England blocked a paper. This research specifically raised concerns over the accuracy of coronavirus antibody test kits.”
The Canary point out that, “according to Abbasi, not only did the health department attempt to block BJM’s research, it also tried to bury its existence. The suppression of this research allowed the sale of one million tests and added to growing concerns of political vested interests. Abbasi described this as the ‘gagging of scientists’. Abbasi stated that: Importantly, suppressing science, whether by delaying publication, cherry picking favourable research, or gagging scientists, is a danger to public health, causing deaths by exposing people to unsafe or ineffective interventions and preventing them from benefiting from better ones. When entangled with commercial decisions it is also maladministration of taxpayers’ money. A growing concern is not only the endangerment to public health but that coronavirus contracts have not been published which is a requirement under EU law. Regulation 50 specifically requires a level of transparency. Regulation 18 highlights the need to be transparent when authorities outsource contracts.”
The Canary report that, “However, a pre-action protocol letter accuses the government of systematically failing to comply with transparency regulations. At least £700m given out in undisclosed contacts The Good Law Project has now filed multiple legal challenges to the UK government. Its letter, which nominates the health secretary and the Cabinet Office minister as defendants, outlines a long list of evidence breaches. The main challenge involves details about the un-published government contracts.
The document lists the contracts, worth around £700m, as evidence of the government’s breaches:
• £250m PPE contract to Saiger – owned by Micheal Saiger but branded as Miansai, a US Jewellery company.
• £252m PPE contract to Ayanda Capital Limited – a currency trading company specialising in offshore property – contract not published.
• £108m PPE contract to Clandeboye Agencies Limited – a confectionary company – contract published.
• £32m PPE contract to Crisp Websites Limited (t/a Pestfix)- specialising in pest control products – contract not published.
• 10 more contracts awarded to Pestfix – contracts not published.
• £930,000 artificial intelligence contract to Faculty Science Limited – contracts not published.
• £840,000 public research to Public First Limited – contract not published.
• £56m to consultancy firms which are undisclosed and contracts unpublished.”
According to the Canary, “The failure to follow transparency regulations only puts more doubt on ministers’ interests. Government advisors like John Bell, who had £773,000 worth of shares in the company that sold antibody tests to the UK, can profit from these deals. While the pharmaceutical company involved, Roche, was awarded one of the smallest contracts, selling £13.5m worth of antibody tests to the UK, it is a prime example of how government advisors are able to benefit from outsourcing contracts. The Good Law Project called government actions persistent and unlawful: Within two weeks of opening its portal inviting tenders for PPE in March 2020, the government had 24 000 offers from 16 000 suppliers, many of whom had experience in providing PPE for healthcare professionals.” But, “Surprisingly, three of the biggest beneficiaries of government contract awards were companies specialising in jewellery (Saiger), pest control (Pestfix) and an opaque ‘family office’ owned through a tax haven (Ayanda).”
The Good Law Project has exposed the abusive squandering of public funds. The Canary say, “With claims that jewellery and pest control companies were chosen over 16,000 offers many with experience providing PPE to healthcare suppliers, the government’s duty of care comes into question. The Canary contacted the Department of Health for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.” The Canary asked, “Can science be safeguarded? According to Abbasi, yes. But there are two crucial steps: The first step is full disclosure of competing interests from government, politicians, scientific advisers, and appointees, such as the heads of test and trace, diagnostic test procurement, and vaccine delivery. The next step is full transparency about decision making systems, processes, and knowing who is accountable for what. Abbasi claims that being transparent and accountable for actions must become a normal procedure in government.”
The Canary report that, “In fact, Abbasi goes so far as to offer the following solutions to prevent competing interests. The simple two step approach is:
• Government employees should ‘only work in areas unrelated to their competing interests’.
• Governments and industry must stop using press releases to announce changes in science policy. Advance publication of policy is far better as it doesn’t leave the information open to manipulation.
When good science is suppressed, people die While in an ideal world vested interests wouldn’t come into play, the transparency of these interests is vital to safeguarding public health and public spending.”
According to the Canary, “Abbasi’s argument is that, as a bare minimum, those with vested interests must not be involved in decision making that they could benefit from – either politically or financially: The medical-political complex tends towards suppression of science to aggrandise and enrich those in power. And, as the powerful become more successful, richer, and further intoxicated with power, the inconvenient truths of science are suppressed. When good science is suppressed, people die. As details of minister and advisor interests continue to emerge, the transparency of contracts and declaration of vested interests is vital to safeguarding the healthcare industry. The suppression or withholding of information essential to decision making is not just unlawful but is reckless. Not just to public spending but to public health.” The Canary urge the public to, “Get involved:” pointing out that, “You can stay up to date with this series by bookmarking our #FollowTheMoney Page or our Investigations Page.”
The Tories must be forced from office; the ongoing relentless squandering of public funds follows on from the growing suspicions over the legitimacy of their miraculous ‘win’ at the Covert 2019 Rigged Election, that could easily be challenged and exposed as fraudulent following a full Investigation. The staggering levels of corruption threatening the credibility of the Conservative Party are on top of their corrupt financing of the fake charity, ‘Integrity Initiative,’ who wilfully engaged in fabricating defamatory news content aimed at discrediting the Opposition Labour Party and vilifying the Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn, to help sell a truly incredulous ‘landslide victory’ result. But if the Tories were forced from power we would need a credible progressive Labour opposition ready in waiting to take control of Government. The chronically weak “New Leadership” of Trojan horse Keir Starmer is seriously mired in corruption at this time. Labour must show integrity and good governance under strong leadership with the return of Jeremy Corbyn.
A divided Party is unelectable, but Starmer is determined to split the Labour Party to hang on to power. The Skwawkbox Article entitled, “Ceredigion Labour votes no confidence in Starmer and against Evans and treatment of Young Labour Chair; CLP stands up to Stalinism,” shows just how rapidly resistance to Starmer’s undemocratic, arrogantly authoritarian stance has infuriated the increasingly disenchanted membership. They say, “Ceredigion constituency Labour Party (CLP) in Wales has joined the growing number of CLPs to vote no confidence in Labour leader Keir Starmer – but members didn’t stop there. The CLP passed four motions on Friday evening, including the no-confidence vote. Other motions criticised the conduct of the party’s general secretary David Evans, Labour’s high-handed and arrogant treatment of Young Labour chair Jessica Barnard – and condemnation of the treatment of former party leader Jeremy Corbyn, in spite of Labour’s escalating war on free speech and attempts at public intimidation by right-wing figures.”
The Skwawkbox documented the decisions made by Ceredigion CLP that as printed in full below, “The principal motions read:
1. This CLP notes the General Secretary’s numerous emails to CLP and Branch Secretaries and Chairs informing them that several areas of Party business are “not competent business” for CLPs or Branches to discuss. This conflicts with the Party’s long-standing custom and practice and tradition, whereby both affiliates and CLPs have the right to engage in discussions and adopt positions on matters across the full range of party business and policy. One reason our Party is among the largest in Europe is because internal debate has always been encouraged. Members/CLPs have always been able to freely express their views to the NEC and the Leadership. This apparent break with that democratic tradition within our Party is a matter of grave concern.
We accept that on occasions there will be genuine legal reasons that could necessitate restricting open discussion on certain matter(s). This restriction should be approved by the NEC (or its Officers) after consideration of the relevant legal advice. This CLP believes that it is for the elected NEC to decide on those matter(s) that should be restricted. The General Secretary should not be making unilateral decisions of this nature. We therefore call on the NEC to defend the right of CLPs, Branches, and affiliates, to discuss the full range of party issues as per established custom and practice.”
2. Ceredigion CLP notes with concern the decision taken by the Leader of the Labour Party not to restore the Party whip to its former leader Jeremy Corbyn.Jeremy Corbyn was reinstated as a member of the Labour Party on 17th November and we believe the Labour whip must also be restored. We call on Keir Starmer to review this decision immediately and restore the whip to Jeremy Corbyn.
3. This CLP believes that members have the right to discuss, debate, speak out and show support and solidarity with comrades in the party. Freedom of speech and democracy are precious to us, it is our core and our strength. We feel that democracy and freedom to speak out is being threatened and our rights are being undermined. Regretfully and after much consideration we have decided that we have no confidence in the Labour leader. We have arrived at this conclusion because:
• It feels that we are barely functioning because of a dictatorial style of leadership, leading to an oppressive atmosphere. People are no longer confident to speak out in case they are disciplined or suspended.
• The leadership demonstrates that it does not value the members and priorities are skewed. Our work for the party is taken for granted, and we are not appreciated. We are used and abused. We are indispensable when canvassing at election times, but we are disposable at other times when bigger donors are being courted. We are labelled and derided for our true socialist values. We feel unwelcome in a place where we should be valued.
• It feels that our party under the leadership of Mr. Starmer is taking us to places that are an anathema to our standards and expectations. The whipping of the PLP to abstain on the ‘Spycops Bill’, the suspension of Jeremy Corbyn, commenting to the media (Andrew Marr) re the disciplinary matter and generally not providing an effective foil to the incompetent Prime Minister.
• We were promised unity, we get the opposite. We should be supporting ‘Black Lives Matter’, BAME members of the PLP are receiving no visible support. Mr Starmer seems to have some issues with women which has been demonstrated by the treatment of; Rebecca Long-Bailey and Nadia Whittome amongst others.
• Mr Starmer appears to be distancing himself from all forms of oppression bar one. On the issue of antisemitism, which we agree is a problem and deserving of action, he appears to be ignoring the valid contribution of Jewish Voice for Labour. It can only be assumed that this is because of their support for Jeremy Corbyn.
• Mr Starmer authorised compensation without court action for individuals who may yet be found culpable in losing the 2017 election. The Forde report is yet to be published and our members are suspicious that findings will be swept under the proverbial carpet.
• The latest action, denying Jeremy Corbyn the whip, is a betrayal of us all.
This CLP therefore declares that it has no confidence in Keir Starmer as Leader of the Labour Party.
Ceredigion CLP utterly condemns the attempts by the Leader, and Labour HQ to silence both Young Labour and specifically its new EC, chaired by Jess Barnard after a stunning success in the recent YL elections.
The CLP notes that:
• As a direct result of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, the Labour Party experienced an unprecedented surge in youth membership in the past five years.
• Jessica Barnard achieved an amazing 71% of the YL vote, on an unambiguously socialist platform.
• These successes were repeated all across the country by the Socialist future platform.
• The new Young Labour EC has a stromg mandate from members, and faithfully executed that with their statement on the 21st of November, in support of Jeremy Corbyn
• The attempted political interference by the Leaders office is in direct opposition to the reccomendations of the EHRC report
The CLP utterly condemns:
• The Leader’s attack on the left, and on the young left more specifically
• The leader’s attempts to politically interfere with Young Labour and to gag Young Members.
The CLP resolves to:
• Issue a statement in support of Jessica Barnard and the rest of the Young Labour Committee
• To continually act in solidarity with the Young members of this CLP and others
• To encourage the growth, strength, and ability to self-organise of Young Labour locally in this CLP
• To condemn political interference by the leader wherever it happens.
• To send this motion to the General Secretary and the leader of the labour party.”
This very bold stand taken by the Ceredigion CLP clearly articulates an expansive set of grievances justifying their well considered decision that, “This CLP therefore declares that it has no confidence in Keir Starmer as Leader of the Labour Party.” What will it take to remove Starmer from the Leadership role he obtained through making false promises to the Labour Party membership? As I am unfamiliar with their party structure I do not know, but he needs to get the old heave ho fast before he causes more damage with a full scale exodus of members. Nothing is leaking out to the right-wing Media while they pretend to support him as a credible opposition leader precisely because the Captain of Capitulation fails to oppose toxic Tory policies like the Spycops Bill and more, but they cannot keep it secret forever. That is when the ‘crumbling red wall’ hoax and the ‘borrowed votes’ scam will come totally unravelled: obviously if so many CLPs right across the UK support Corbyn’s return, then they do no hate him as the media claim!
Every week is hailed as the final crunch week for the sham Brexit negotiations as the Tory hard core Brexiteers deliberately run down the clock to crash-out day. The Media have paid a lot of attention to fishing rights, but I am convinced that this is a devious distraction from their most important red line which focuses on the level playing field. The deal on fishing is governed as much by how much EU vessels can take in our newly sovereign waters as by whether UK fishermen have a market to sell their catch. The issue the Tories do not want the public to contemplate is allowing the UK to gain an unfair advantage by stripping away all our EU Labour rights and worker protections as well as slashing ‘red tape’ over safety standards in all areas including our food production and animal welfare. For the Tories everything is worth sacrificing for profit; their bogus ‘levelling up’ pledge will help mask the harsh reality of decades of Tory exploitation. We don’t have long to derail this Machiavellian plot and avoid the dystopian nightmare ahead. DO NOT MOVE ON!