The appointment of Tom Hayhoe because the UK’s COVID corruption commissioner has been criticised as unlikely to recuperate vital taxpayer funds, in accordance with main audit and advisory agency Blick Rothenberg.
Fiona Fernie, a companion on the agency, questioned the worth of the function, notably given the time elapsed for the reason that alleged corruption happened through the pandemic.
“Four years after the events occurred, it’s unclear why Rachel Reeves believes this appointment will achieve more than previous investigations, including the National Audit Office’s 2020 review or the Boardman Review in 2021,” Fernie stated.
Hayhoe’s 12-month tenure has additionally been criticised as inadequate for such a fancy inquiry. Fernie warned that these concerned in questionable actions through the pandemic have had years to obscure proof, making restoration efforts much more difficult.
Though Hayhoe is anticipated to supply suggestions on future authorities procurement processes throughout crises, Fernie questioned what further insights this might provide past present opinions, together with the COVID inquiry led by Baroness Heather Hallett and the Nationwide Crime Company’s ongoing investigations into potential PPE-related prison offences.
The delay in appointing Hayhoe has additionally come beneath scrutiny. Regardless of being a Labour manifesto pledge, it took 5 months into their authorities for the appointment to be finalised, with frequent public guarantees of an imminent announcement.
Fernie expressed help for efforts to analyze fraud and recuperate public funds however cautioned that the price of Hayhoe’s function would possibly outweigh the monetary recoveries it achieves. “This appointment may easily cost the Exchequer more than it will recover and is unlikely to bring any new information to light,” she stated.
The criticism raises broader questions in regards to the effectiveness of retrospective investigations and the steadiness between accountability and the price of pursuing historic circumstances.
