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CQC inspector ‘accused of bribery’

A CQC inspector has been sacked and is now being investigated by police on suspicion of taking bribes, a health minister has told Parliament.

The inspector, who has not been named, was dismissed for gross misconduct and the CQC referred the case to the police.

The CQC said the case had arisen from whistle-blowing information and that the ‘impartiality of their regulatory judgements had been seriously compromised'.

In a written answer to Parliament on 14 May, health minister Simon Burns said: ‘The CQC took action to terminate the employment of the inspector and has referred the matter to the police.

‘Any allegations of bribery are a matter for the police. The police are currently investigating this matter and it would therefore not be appropriate to comment further.'

‘There have been no discussions or meetings between the secretary of state and the CQC about this specific matter.'

Louise Guss, director of governance and legal services at the CQC, said: ‘Our inspectors operate to extremely high standards of integrity and professionalism. Unfortunately, in any large workforce there is a risk that a tiny minority may act in a way that betrays the principles of their colleagues and of the organisation as a whole, which is what has happened here.

‘This inspector has failed the organisation, failed the providers who rely on us to act fairly and impartially, and - most importantly - failed in their responsibility to protect people who use services through identification of poor care.'