A pizza chain won a PPE contract worth £135,000.
A former Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has been named for allegedly helping a firm get a £135,000 government contract.
Dame Donna Kinnair reportedly referred the businessman George Farha for “VIP Fast Lane” government contracts to supply the NHS and social care with personal protective equipment (PPE).
Following the referral NKD International, formally NKD Pizza International – a UK-based pizza chain, won a PPE contract reportedly worth £135,000.
Dame Donna quit the RCN citing health problems in July but not before an investigation was launched by the union. It was reported in September that Dame Donna was questioned about links to Farha and allegations of meeting Health Secretary Matt Hancock without telling union officials.
The Department of Health and Social Care is still yet to respond to a Freedom of Information Act request about any meetings with Mr. Hancock submitted by NursingNotes earlier this year.
A spokesman for Farha told POLITICO that the pair had a friendly professional relationship but were not friends and denied making a profit from the arrangement.
New leadership.
Companies House documents reveal Mr. Faha was terminated as a director of NKD International earlier this year.
There is no suggestion of any legal wrongdoing by Dame Donna but RCN members have taken to social media today to express their upset over the arrangement.
Dame Donna appeared on Question Time at the start of the pandemic questioning Mr. Hancock’s handling of PPE supply to the frontline.
An RCN spokesperson responded to the allegations, claiming the union had no part in the awarding of PPE contracts.
They said; “In this period, our priority was challenging the quality and supply of PPE on behalf of members.
“The government is responsible for the awarding of these contracts and the RCN, as an organisation, rightly does not get involved. Kinnair stepped down in July and new leadership has since taken office.”
It is not known if the RCN knew about the arrangement prior to the publication of the list.
