Commenting, Mr Paisley said:
‘‘I am pleased that this report vindicates the position of Randox. This is a local company and significant employer that has been to the forefront of the public health response to Covid-19. Without the development and supply of their PCR and rapid test kits, key sectors of our economy would have ground to a halt.
Labour’s Angela Rayner claimed that these contracts were the “tip of the Conservative corruption iceberg.’’ The fact that investigators could not find any evidence of wrongdoing underlines the danger of such spurious and unsupported claims. They only serve to hit public confidence and damage trust in politics.
We shouldn’t forget that these contracts were provided at a time of unprecedented national emergency. Whilst lessons can and should be learned around procurement during this crisis, it is right that wild speculation of back hand deals is put to bed.’’