MPs who referred firms to COVID PPE ‘VIP Lane’ revealed – is yours on the list?

Former Tory cabinet ministers, frontbenchers, and even an MP who left for Reform feature on the COVID PPE VIP Lane referral list.

COVID PPE VIP List – who was involved?

The data released by the Cabinet Office this week does come with caveats, however. The verification process itself has not been fully completed, but the list of referrers has been assembled from all records available to researchers. And making a referral in itself is not considered an improper or illegal act.

The issue, however, lies elsewhere. Of the £10 billion the UK reportedly ‘wasted’ on substandard PPE equipment, £1.7 billion of that went to firms who were granted access to the VIP lane – and its estimated that 58% of these funds were squandered on items deemed ‘unfit for use’.

Cronyism was also cited as a major problem – something which the newly released list can corroborate. Nine former cabinet members who served under Boris Johnson have been named in the files. Three of whom (Gavin Williamson, James Cleverly, and Robert Jenrick) are still serving as MPs.

Matt Hancock features prominently, with ex Tory frontbenchers also named

Though Jenrick’s link is identified as only a ‘possible’ connection, Dominic Raab, Grant Shapps, and Michael Gove are named in much more certain terms. Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, meanwhile, is linked to 27 contracts – a significantly higher number than any of his one-time colleagues.

A further seven MPs who still remain in office have also been identified. Though most represent the Conservative Party, both Jim McMahon and Karl Turner were elected as Labour MPs in 2024. An additional17 politicians have since left their roles – including Tory heavyweights Graham Brady and Nicholas Soames.

Below is a full list of all MPs and former cabinet members named in the report.

Former Conservative Cabinet Members:

Dominic Raab – Foreign Secretary / Deputy Prime Minister

Gavin Williamson – Education Secretary (and current MP for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)

Grant Shapps – Transport Secretary / Business Secretary

James Cleverly – Conservative Party Chairman / Education Secretary (and current MP for Braintree)

Matt Hancock – Health Secretary

Michael Gove – Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster / Levelling Up Secretary

Robert Jenrick – Housing Secretary (and current MP for Newark)

Simon Hart – Welsh Secretary

Theresa Villiers – Environment Secretary

Current MPs:

Ben Spencer – MP for Runnymede and Weybridge

Jim McMahon – MP for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton

Karl Turner – MP for Kingston Upon Hull East

Kevin Hollinrake – MP for Thirsk and Malton

Sir Julian Lewis – MP for New Forest East

Simon Hoare – MP for North Dorset

Esther McVey – MP for Tatton

Former MPs:

Alex Chalk

Angela Richardson

Andrew Griffiths

Andrew Percy

Bob Stewart

Charlie Elphicke

Chris Heaton-Harris

Graham Brady

Iain Stewart

Jeremy Lefroy

Jo Churchill

Marcus Jones

Owen Paterson

Sally-Ann Hart

Sir Nicholas Soames

Steve Brine

Vicky Ford