FOI release

FOI2024/00183: Cost of Independent Investigation

Case reference FOI2024/00183

Published 26 March 2024

Request

Request Received: 6 March 2024

What was the cost to UKRI of the "independent investigation" into two of your members, following the receipt of an open letter from Secretary of State Michelle Donelan?

Response

Response Sent: 26 March 2024

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) holds some information relevant to your request. Please see the information below.

For clarity, UKRI conducted an investigation into the full set out issues raised by the Secretary of State in her letter. We do not hold a breakdown of costs associated with the different aspects of the concerns that were expressed.

The total cost to UKRI of conducting this independent investigation was £23,280, inclusive of VAT. This consists of the following:

• £12,500 + VAT for the investigation

• £6,900 + VAT for external legal counsel

Additional work on the investigation was conducted by UKRI staff, in addition to, or as part of their existing roles. Staff time relating to this activity was not tracked, therefore UKRI do not hold information on other costs associated with the investigation.

Documents

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