Data watchdog launches probe into health department emails

The UK's data watchdog has launched an investigation into the use of private email accounts at the health department.

Information commissioner Elizabeth Denham expressed concern the practice could lead to a "loss of transparency".

Labour said the government could not "be allowed to cover up dodgy dealings with taxpayers' money being handed out to friends of ministers".

The Department of Health said it would cooperate with any investigation.

A spokesperson added: "All ministers are aware of the guidance around personal email usage and government business is conducted in line with this guidance."

Health Minister Lord Bethell has said that while some third parties "in their enthusiasm" often contact ministers via their personal email accounts, "that's not the same as using a personal email for formal departmental decision-making."

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Announcing the investigation, Ms Denham said the inquiry would establish if "private correspondence channels have been used, and if their use led to breaches of freedom of information or data protection law".

She said her office had served notices on the department and others to preserve evidence relevant to the inquiry.

Ms Denham wrote in her blog that "it concerns the public to feel there may be a loss of transparency about decisions affecting them and their loved ones".

"The use of private correspondence channels does not in itself break freedom of information or data protection rules" but she said she worried they might be "overlooked, autodeleted or otherwise not available when a freedom of information request is later made".

The conclusions of her investigation will be published in due course and she said she would not comment while the investigation is ongoing.

Welcoming the investigation, Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner said: "The government cannot be allowed to cover up dodgy dealings with taxpayers' money being handed out to friends of ministers.

"What is important now is getting to the bottom of how far this shady practice extends across the government, and ensuring that the Covid public inquiry has access to all evidence."

During the pandemic, the government has sometimes skipped some of the requirements involved in awarding contracts.

This has led to accusations of a lack of transparency. In November 2020, the public spending watchdog said companies providing personal protective equipment (PPE) were given priority if they were recommended by MPs, peers and ministers' offices.

The government has insisted that "proper due diligence is carried out for all government contracts".

Standards investigation

Meanwhile, Lord Bethell is also being investigated by the Lords' standards watchdog for his "use of facilities" in Parliament.

It follows a complaint from Labour over his sponsorship of a security pass for Gina Coladangelo - the aide Matt Hancock was caught kissing on leaked CCTV footage.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Lords Commissioner for Standards' Office confirmed it was investigating a complaint regarding Lord Bethell's sponsoring of a pass for Ms Coladangelo.

Under the rules, members of the House of Lords can sponsor passes for secretaries and research assistants if they "genuinely and personally" fulfil those roles for the sponsoring member.

The sponsor has to sign a declaration to that effect, and it would be against the rules if the individual did not work for the peer.

Ms Coladangelo, a university friend of Mr Hancock, was brought into the Department of Health and Social Care initially as an unpaid adviser before taking a £15,000-a-year role as a non-executive director in the department in September.

Mr Hancock resigned as health secretary last month after he admitted breaching social distancing guidance when he was caught on camera kissing Ms Coladangelo in his office. She also left her position at the department.