Millions spent on face masks ‘that did not work properly’

AT LEAST £150 million has been wasted by the Government on masks that were deemed unsafe because they have the wrong type of straps, it has emerged.

Fifty million face masks were bought by the Government as part of a £252 million contract with Ayanda Capital, on April 29, with £41.25 million payable on commencement to secure the manufacturing capacity.

The Government has confirmed in court papers that the masks, which have ear loops rather than head loops, will not be used in the NHS.

However, Tim Horlick, the chief executive of Ayanda Capital, insisted the masks are not “unsafe or unusable” and met government standards.

The Good Law Project and Everydoctor, which are suing the Government over its Ayanda contract, estimate the 50million masks would have cost more than £150million. Labour called for an inquiry, while the Prime Minister told reporters: “I’m very disappointed that any consignment of PPE should turn out not to be fit for purpose.”

He said there were legal proceedings under way so he would not be drawn on the specific example. Ayanda Capital also supplied 150million masks of another type, which the Government says are unaffected but will be subject to further testing in the UK.

The Government also disclosed in court papers that the original approach to sell the masks came from a businessman called Andrew Mills, director at a company called Prospermill, which had secured exclusive rights to the full production capacity of a large factory in China to produce masks.

He is also an adviser to the UK Board of Trade and a senior board adviser at Ayanda. Mr Mills told the BBC his position played no part in the contract award. A Government spokesman said: “Throughout this global pandemic, we have been working tirelessly to deliver PPE to protect people on the front line.

“Over 2.4 billion items have been delivered and more than 30billion have been ordered from Uk-based manufacturers and international partners to provide a continuous supply, which meets the needs of health and social care staff both now and in the future.”