PR agencies bidding for UK Covid inquiry risk ‘farcical conflict of interest’

Listening Project contract will be awarded to one of 12 pre-approved firms, many of which worked for government during pandemic

PR giants that received hefty government contracts to run Covid-19 public health campaigns are now bidding to lead an inquiry into the public's experience of the pandemic response, the Guardian has learned.

The Listening Project was announced earlier this year as a formal part of the Covid-19 inquiry, which will examine the UK's preparedness and response to the pandemic and learn lessons for the future".