A Conservative MP who is under investigation for possible undeclared lobbying was among the political insiders who helped companies to secure lucrative COVID contracts, leaked documents show.
Steve Brine referred a business that produces packaging, CCS McLays, to the government’s ‘VIP lane’ last year. The firm went on to secure a £11m contract to deliver personal protective equipment (PPE).
It comes as an investigation was launched into Brine last week by the registrar of consultant lobbyists. Reports say the MP took part in a video conference with the vaccines minister and Sigma Pharmaceuticals – which pays him £20,000 a year as an adviser – months before the firm won a £100,000 government contract.
