A Conservative peer, known as Lord Chadlington, is under investigation for the third time by the House of Lords watchdog for potential violations of the rules governing members' conduct.

This investigation is informed by the recent release of text messages and emails related to his involvement with SG Recruitment, a company that supplied personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On April 19, 2020, Lord Chadlington communicated with former Prime Minister David Cameron, soliciting advice on introducing SG Recruitment to the government.

Subsequently, SG Recruitment received a £23.9 million contract for coveralls shortly after this exchange, followed by a further £26.1 million contract for hand sanitiser a month later.

Both contracts, totaling £50 million, were expedited through the Conservative government's 'VIP lane,' which prioritized firms with political connections.

Lord Chadlington, who has held his peerage since 1996, has previously served as an advisor to both David Cameron and John Major.

At the time of the contracts, he held a financial interest in SG Recruitment through his role as chair, paid director, and shareholder of its parent company, Sumner Group Holdings, which is registered in Jersey.

The inquiry has revealed that Cameron directed Chadlington to Andrew Feldman, another Tory peer who was advising the Department of Health and Social Care on PPE matters.

Chadlington's previous engagements concerning SG Recruitment were scrutinized in investigations conducted in 2022 and 2023, which concluded without charges against him.

The investigations assessed whether his actions constituted a breach of rules prohibiting peers from leveraging their membership for financial gain by approaching ministers or officials.

The current investigation will re-evaluate if Chadlington violated these rules when connecting SG Recruitment with government officials and will also examine adherence to a standard requiring members to act on personal honor in their parliamentary duties.

Chadlington asserted in writing to the Lords commissioner in August 2023 that he did not facilitate a direct introduction between David Sumner, SG Recruitment's majority owner, and Feldman.

However, evidence from the inquiry indicates that Chadlington formally introduced the two parties via email.

The inquiry into the contracts awarded to SG Recruitment is part of a broader examination of the 'VIP lane,' which has seen £3.8 billion allocated to prioritized companies.

A group representing bereaved families, the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, has submitted documents to the inquiry, advocating for transparency regarding the process and connections leading to these contracts.

In response to inquiries, Chadlington's legal representatives reiterated that any statements made by him remain consistent with his previously disclosed accounts.

He has refrained from further comment due to the ongoing investigation.

Meanwhile, the government has acknowledged disputes with SG Recruitment concerning unmet contract obligations; in December 2023, the company, which has recently undergone a name change, entered liquidation, owing significant taxes to HMRC.

The parent firm was liquidated in October 2022, with Chadlington resigning as a director in April 2021.