Tory donor’s swab tests pulled over safety fears

CORONAVIRUS tests supplied by a firm that has donated £160,000 to the Conservative Party were pulled last night over safety fears.

Care homes in England were told by the Department of Health to stop using tests from Randox Laboratories as they “may not meet required safety standards for coronavirus testing”.

The Mirror understands red flags were raised about the CE safety stamps on the Chinesemade tests supplied by Randox.

Physical inspection of the tests led to questions about the sterility of the swabs.

Randox Laboratories was awarded the £133million contract by the Department for Health and Social Care in May, after a non-competitive bidding process.

Shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth said in the Commons last night that the contract was “given to Randox without any competitive tender”.

The firm has donated a total of £160,800 to the party since April 2010, according to the Electoral Commission.

It has also employed Tory MP Owen Paterson, pictured left, as an adviser since 2015, and he is paid £100,000 a year. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on his part.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said there is “no evidence of harm” from the tests, which were given to thousands of Brits.

The Department of Health said: “As a precautionary measure and while we investigate further, NHS Test and Trace are requesting that all settings pause the use of Randox test kits with immediate effect and until further notice.”