 |
| UK PM Rishi Sunak (Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images) |
The Contracts Finder, the UK government's own database of public sector tenders and contracts, shows that Infosys has been involved in public sector contracts with various UK government agencies and groups totaling more than $214 million (£172 million), according to an investigation conducted by the New European.
Contracts between UK government departments and Infosys
In fact, Infosys collaborated with Transport for London on its first official contract, which it got back in March 2015. Then, Infosys and 15 associate companies were successful in securing contracts for £98 million, or $121 million.
Additionally, Infosys has signed six contracts with the Care Quality Commission totaling £20.3 million ($25.24 million) and two contracts worth £5.35 million ($6.65 million) with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.
The company was also involved in a £10 million agreement with Westminster Council to offer a digital roadmap, and it gave Nottingham University computer equipment and software worth £650,600 ($809,131). It has contracts for £500,000 ($621,835) and £25,000,000 ($31,000,000) with the London Borough of Merton and East Sussex County Council, respectively.
Infosys also entered into two contracts totalling £10.8 million ($13.4 million) with the Home Office, one of which is for "quality assurance and infrastructure testing" and runs from 2017 to 2020. The other two contracts are each for a year and cost £7.4 million ($9.2 million).
The most recent contract, with Transport for London, was granted in December 2022. Amounts totaling £1,760,500 ($2,190,581) are to be paid to Infosys under the terms of the agreement for "consulting, software development, internet, and support."
The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, has faced criticism for his silence over his interests in his father-in-law's company, Infosys. The IT services company, which is listed on the Indian stock exchange, has been accused of numerous breaches of corporate governance and has been the subject of several investigations.
Sunak's wife, Akshata Murthy, is the daughter of Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys. The Chancellor has not disclosed his interests in the company, which has led to accusations of a conflict of interest.
So, why has Sunak maintained his silence over his interests in Infosys?
Firstly, it is important to note that Sunak is not legally required to declare his interests in Infosys. The UK's ministerial code only requires ministers to declare interests in companies that they own or control, or where they have received significant payments or gifts. As Sunak has no control over Infosys and has not received any significant payments or gifts, he is not legally obliged to declare his interests.
However, while Sunak may not be legally required to declare his interests in Infosys, there are still concerns about the potential conflict of interest. As Chancellor, Sunak is responsible for overseeing the UK's economic policies and making decisions that affect businesses operating in the country. If he has a financial interest in a company that is being investigated for breaches of corporate governance, it could be seen as a conflict of interest.
Secondly, Sunak may be maintaining his silence to avoid any accusations of impropriety. If he were to declare his interests in Infosys, he could face criticism from those who believe that he should not be involved with a company that has been accused of wrongdoing. By remaining silent, he may be trying to avoid any controversy.
Thirdly, Sunak may be waiting for the investigations into Infosys to conclude before making any statements about his interests. It is possible that he does have interests in the company but is waiting for the investigations to be completed before declaring them. This would allow him to make a statement that is informed by the results of the investigations.
In conclusion, there are several possible reasons why UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak has maintained his silence over his interests in Infosys. While he is not legally required to declare his interests, there are concerns about the potential conflict of interest. Sunak may be maintaining his silence to avoid any accusations of impropriety, or he may be waiting for the investigations into Infosys to conclude before making any statements about his interests. Whatever the reason, it is important for public officials to be transparent about their interests to ensure that they are not seen as being influenced by their personal financial interests.
.jpeg)
