Recommendation 4

The award of the first Randox contract did not receive adequate scrutiny from senior officials and the role of ministers in signing it off was unclear. The Department’s then Second Permanent Secretary had some visibility of the first contract awarded to Randox, but he did not approve it as we would normally expect. Instead, Lord Bethell, the then Minister for Technology, Innovation and Life Sciences, was asked by departmental officials to provide his authorisation to proceed with the contract. The Department says this was not formal approval of the contract, but in the absence of any other senior sign-off for the contract from either officials or ministers, the contract was signed by a deputy director. Normal processes for contract spend approvals involving the Cabinet Office were also by- passed during the early months of the pandemic, which meant that the Cabinet Office did not provide its approval for Randox’s first contract for testing services. Recommendation: Government should provide additional guidance to clarify the role of ministers in procurement processes, including contract discussions and approvals.