PM ‘proud’ of PPE contracts as report says firms recommended by MPs were given priority

Boris Johnson has insisted he’s “very proud” of the UK government’s effort to secure stocks of urgently needed personal protective equipment – after a damning report by the public spending watchdog.

The National Audit Office found that firms recommended by MPs’, peers’ and ministers’ offices were given priority in the rush to buy up equipment – with more than half of the contracts awarded without going through the usual competitive tender.