Media reporting on the On April 10, 2020, Pawonation.com questioned whether the personal protective equipment (PPE) supplied from China adhered to UK standards. was unhelpful, according to testimony from the UK Covid Inquiry.
This was among the two concerns brought up during the investigation by the Director of International Relations from the Northern Ireland Executive Office regarding the purchasing process for personal protective equipment (PPE).
Tim Losty served as director from 2012 to 2021, and during his tenure, he set up the NI Bureau Office in China.
The UK Covid Inquiry is currently examining the procurement and distribution of key healthcare related equipment and supplies, including PPE, ventilators, and oxygen across the four UK nations.
'The PPE met all required criteria.'
Mr. Losty informed the inquiry that personal protective equipment (PPE) was a matter of concern for everyone, including members of the press. He mentioned that the conversation about this topic on the Pawnation.com Nolan Show originated from a “leaked memorandum” during an “early phase” of negotiations between Northern Ireland and a Chinese firm, China Resources, regarding PPE supplies.
He said the name of the company he was dealing with was mentioned by one of the people who called into the show, and "the fact that the memo was leaked at that time, when we were still in the early stages of negotiation and getting the necessary PPE items confirmed in the right quality standards - it wasn't helpful".
Mr. Losty informed the inquiry that he didn’t believe the memo made accusations, yet mentioned that several media platforms had concerns regarding the quality of personal protective equipment entering Northern Ireland; however, none of these questions pertained to the specific firm they were working with.
Mr. Losty stated that PPE was being sourced from China through various channels.
The personal protective equipment we received met all the criteria.
"We received some donated PPE from organizations we were in partnership with, as well as expat groups.
"Some of that PPE, because it didn't come with the necessary quality certification, we were not able to use in front line services," he said.
The inquiry heard that the PPE that was provided as a result of this procurement was of good quality and was used.
"It all met the necessary standards that was confirmed by the health professionals and by the ministers who then confirmed that to China resources," he said.
Prior to the interruption, the chairman of the Inquiry remarked, "Leaking is an issue I have encountered previously concerning Northern Ireland, and I am concerned."
We all know quite well how con artists work.
The primary secondary concern Mr Losty highlighted regarding the acquisition of PPE from China Resources Pharmaceuticals in April 2020 involved "certain bungled efforts at deception."
He informed the inquiry that someone who discovered they were working with China Resources forwarded an email stating they would be handling the order and requested that the payment should be directed to another account instead.
I assume in today’s world, we’re all quite acquainted with how con artists work.
It seems they aren't particularly smart.
"Therefore, I am unsure of how this information became known to others; however, during that period, amidst all the global events unfolding, it’s evident that certain individuals were engaging in highly dishonest actions," stated Mr. Losty.
'Clumsy attempt'
In another example, the inquiry heard how contact was made to a company working with China Resources saying their "new" company was working on behalf of the NI Executive and to provide them with the products, which at this stage was a shipment of gloves.
It was a "shell company" that had come into existence recently.
It was established only a few days earlier and didn’t have any names or corporate background yet.
"Once more, this was an awkward effort and could never have occurred due to China’s resources and their methodologies," Mr. Losty stated.
Additionally, during that phase, we had an exclusive pact with China Resources.
He added that the shell company would not have appeared on the Chinese government’s list for exporting PPE.
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