The Kovid inquiry has rejected a last minute bid, which would have allowed Baronic Michel Mone and her husband Dag Bairon to reach documents and other evidences about PPE deals during the epidemic.

Last week, both individuals asked to become “core participants” during interrogation – a legal status that also gives the right to make statements and apply to ask questions of witnesses.

PPE Medpro, led by Mr. Bairon, was awarded government contracts of over £ 200m during Kovid, when the ministers recommended the firm to the ministers.

The investigation has already ruled that evidence about the company will be heard privately at the end of this month so that the National Crime Agency (NCA) should avoid investigation. 52 -year -old Barrows Mone, and 59 -year -old Mr. Bairon denied the wrongdoing.

To date, no criminal allegations have been brought and the NCA has not directed the Crown Prosecution Service.

The Covid inquiries have now opened a four -week public hearing in the supply and distribution of other medical equipment in the PPE’s £ 15BN and the epidemic.

On 27 February, Barrows Mone, Mr. Bairon and PPE Medpro wrote in the inquiry that they have an important role in the proceedings and they may be “subject to clear and important criticism”.

He also argued that he was concerned about NCA’s conduct, which has been investigating PPE Medpro since May 2021.

As the main participants, they would have been provided access to documents and other witness evidence provided for covid examination. Participants should sign a privacy agreement and use that information only for investigation purposes.

Inquiries chair, baronic halt, Discharged the couple’s approach Saying that he did not admit that he had a major role “in cases to be investigated by investigation”.

He also said that his application was made after the November 2023 deadline.

He said, “Medpro was an important supplier of PPE for the UK Government, but it was one of the many suppliers and many other contracts that are investigating the investigation,” he said.

Barona Hallet has earlier stated that it will not take direct evidence from the representatives of the firms involved in the supply of PPE, a approach that Groups have angered groups representing the bereaved families,

Instead, his main focus is on the perspective of ministers and government, he said.

PPE Medpro was one of dozens of companies, who won the government contracts after being referred to through “VIP lane” – officially known as a high -primary lane lane.

The idea was introduced in April 2020, the idea was a fast-track offer to supply PPE if they came with the recommendation of members of ministers, MPs, House of Lords or other senior officials.

At that time the government said that there was a “strict need” to protect health and social care employees, and it was argued that Rapid action was required to secure PPE.

New research for covid inquiries found that approximately one -third of government contracts had gone through VIP lanes to buy masks, gowns and other equipment.

Data showed that 115 of the 430 proposals made in this way were successful. Those firms were likely to win a contract than outside the VIP lane system.

Peter Munro, a group manager in the UK Anti-Corruption alliance, a group composed of procurement, transparency and contract experts, the latest data said “some of our worst fear confirmed”.

“PPE was 80% more expensive than the PPE purchased through other channels purchased than the PPE purchased through high priority lane, and half if it was disqualified for the purpose,” he said.