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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Jessica Elgot

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

Britain's prime minister Boris Johnson speaks during a daily Covid-19 briefing.
PR agencies on the list worked for the hub that developed the criticised ‘Stay alert’ messaging, revealed by Boris Johnson. Photograph: Pippa Fowles/10 Downing St/Reuters

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”.

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