MPs and peers should declare links to firms they back for contracts, says NAO

Exclusive: After the Michelle Mone scandal and PPE questions, National Audit Office says monitoring conflicts of interest is crucial'

Peers and MPs should have to declare any links to firms they recommend for contracts even in an emergency such as the Covid pandemic, the head of the National Audit Office (NAO) has said, in the wake of the PPE controversies including the Michelle Mone scandal.

Gareth Davies, the auditor and comptroller general at the NAO, said keeping on top of conflicts of interest was a crucial part of public stewardship" that was not always followed during the VIP fast lane process.