The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has heard allegations that Michael Gove sought to bypass regulatory processes to fast-track James Dyson’s bid to supply ventilators to the NHS during the pandemic. Gove, who served as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster at the time, denied the claims, calling them “ludicrous.”
The inquiry was shown an email from Graeme Tunbridge, director of devices at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), dated March 2020. Tunbridge wrote that Gove’s office was pushing for Dyson’s ventilator proposal to be approved on an “unrealistic” timeline and appeared to want to “circumvent the expedited regulatory process” already in place.
Gove rejected the suggestion that he pressured the MHRA, stating, “It’s inconceivable that any minister would deliberately push for a potentially lethal machine to be used in hospitals to meet an arbitrary deadline.” He acknowledged having more “direct involvement” with Dyson’s proposal than with other bids but insisted he “could not and would not” tell the MHRA what to approve.
The inquiry also revealed an email from Gove’s private office instructing officials to ensure that Dyson’s ventilator was tested, approved, and ready for human trials within days. Gove defended the email, saying it reflected hopes rather than direct orders, and emphasized that the MHRA’s independence was never compromised.
John Manzoni, a senior Cabinet Office civil servant, told the inquiry he had intervened in a meeting involving Gove, Dyson, and Gareth Rhys Williams, the government’s chief commercial officer, to protect the integrity of the regulatory process. Manzoni expressed concern that “indirect pressure” was being placed on the MHRA to approve Dyson’s design.
Rhys Williams, in a separate email, described Gove’s tone as “regrettable” and noted that Dyson’s prototype was not yet ready for testing, suggesting that the MHRA could have been evaluating other proposals instead.
Gove maintained that the focus on Dyson’s bid did not detract from efforts to secure ventilators from other suppliers. He also highlighted that Dyson’s prototype ultimately failed testing and was never used in the NHS.
The inquiry previously heard that Lord Agnew, a Treasury minister, had warned that Dyson might use NHS approval to market ventilators internationally. A Dyson spokesperson denied any profit motive, stating that the company responded to a personal request from Prime Minister Boris Johnson and incurred significant costs by diverting 450 engineers from commercial projects.
The inquiry continues as it examines the government’s handling of ventilator procurement during the pandemic.
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