Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit) responded for the first time to VTM NIEUWS about the undercover videos that are supposed to prove tampering in his administration. He says he still has confidence in the top official accused, but confirms that he is requesting an investigation from the Federal Internal Audit (FIA). Striking detail: the journalists had to follow his explanation without telephones or computers.
LOOK. The press receives an explanation from Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit), but only with pen and paper
In brief…
The company that distributed the corona vaccines during the pandemic says it has video footage and evidence that would show that the FPS Public Health has tampered with the allocation of a 50 million euro contract. According to them, the evidence for this includes video recordings of the official involved at the FPS Public Health. HLN was able to view one of the videos. In it, the woman explains how she would have helped the other company win the contract.
Vandenbroucke and FPS chairman Dirk Ramaekers have explained the whole matter for the first time (but behind closed doors). “We went to listen, but we were not allowed to take phones or computers with us. Only pen and paper,” says VTM NEWS journalist Karel Lattrez. According to the minister, because “the opponent plays at a different level” (referring to the video recordings with the official involved).
In any case, Vandenbroucke remains determined and in any case there is nothing wrong with officials who contact potentially interested companies as part of a preliminary tender process and even help them if they have questions about the procedure. “There is nothing wrong with that and we even encourage it. The more good candidates compete for a contract, the better, because then you can reduce the price.”
But the minister does order a forensic audit from the federal audit services into the entire course of events. “I have always said that if a new element emerges, we will have it investigated (..) Here is a company raising money and putting pressure on an official through Black Cube and lawyers. I find that particularly unethical.” The official involved, according to Ramaekers “someone with a very good track record,” is reviewing possible legal action with a lawyer. According to the Vandenbroucke cabinet, Movianto has already gone to the police.
N-VA: “Step in the right direction”
Opposition party N-VA reacts cautiously positively to the announcement of an audit. “It is a step in the right direction that Minister Vandenbroucke finally takes our concerns about the allocation of the contract seriously – after a year and a half – and orders an audit,” says MP Kathleen Depoorter. “It will now be a matter of hearing all the actors, namely the FPS Public Health, the FAMHP, Deloitte, Movianto and Medista, and analyzing their account of the facts. The fact that there is an undeniable appearance of a conflict of interest in this file requires a thorough investigation.”
WATCH ALSO. Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit): “I will have this completely investigated”
Also read:
Can the tampering of officials lead to Vandenbroucke’s dismissal? “The minister has not done enough to create clarity” (+)
ANALYSIS. This is how Vandenbroucke ended up in an argument with a company that accused its officials of cheating: “From a good marriage to a bloody divorce”(+)
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