In February 2025, the inquiry spent a day taking evidence about PPE Medpro, the firm linked to the businessman Doug Barrowman and his wife Baroness Michelle Mone.
Both Barrowman and Mone have denied any wrongdoing in relation to those contracts that were worth more than £200m.
Baroness Hallett ordered that testimony from senior government officials had to be heard behind closed doors so as not to prejudice an ongoing criminal investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
A section of the inquiry’s findings related to PPE Medpro was also removed from the final report and will only be published “following the conclusion of any criminal proceedings”.
No criminal charges have been brought to date with the NCA saying that its “ongoing investigation remains a priority for the agency”.
In total, 48 witnesses gave oral evidence for this part of the inquiry in February and March 2025, including former health secretary Matt Hancock and cabinet minister Michael Gove.
The recommendations made include:
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a “radical overhaul” of the emergency system for buying PPE and distributing it before the next pandemic
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drawing up a “domestic industry strategy” which treats key healthcare equipment as a strategic national asset”
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improving the state of the pandemic stockpile which is held in a giant warehouse in Merseyside
The Prime Minister’s Spokeswoman said the report made for difficult reading
“The pandemic had a profound and lasting impact across our society and this government is committed to learning the lessons of the Covid inquiry so that we are protected and prepared for the future.
“And we will of course carefully consider the inquiry’s recommendations in detail and we will respond in due course.”