I received these a little while ago. See https://www.s4me.info/threads/correspondence-from-the-dwp-for-2003.2682/ 17 files.
Is hard to read from cel but who are this plp copied ( why the government emails?!) I don’t think even when they do a grant all that involvement is like normal in UK??? 2) can somebody highlight the points pls?
how was this obtained? - FOI? is there any more there is some hot stuff in here real revelations can someone do a FOI to ask DWP for all communications between DWP, Mansel and White - that would be nice to see then to same FOI for QMUL for same comms between WHite and DWP and Mansel???? has this been done ???
It's interesting that Mansal Anyward knew Chris Clarke in 2004. I'm wondering when was the first involvement of AFME in PACE and was it all through CC?
Aylward seemed close to AfME in 2003 too: https://www.s4me.info/threads/correspondence-from-the-dwp-for-2003.2682/#post-49749 I've been planning to go through these when I have a chance, but happy for others to go for it first!
OK. I'm slowly working through these, but on the way, this article was referenced... https://www.independent.co.uk/life-...news/why-wont-they-believe-hes-ill-59669.html
Summary of Correspondence to DWP about PACE trial in 2004 1. 13 Feb 2004 – Anne Faulkner (CFS Research Foundation) to Mansel Aylward AF updates MA about CFSRF research progress. 2. 3 Mar 2004 – Peter White to TSG Subject: PACE TSC first meeting Making arrangements for first TSC meeting. 3. 18 Mar 2004 – Tracy Straker (Mansel Aylward’s secretary) to Peter White Re: PACE TSC first meeting Confirming date and arrangements for first TSC meeting. 4. 18 Mar 2004 – Mansel Aylward to Ben S (WACG) Includes emails from MRC about PACE trial progress and funding contributions. 5. 25 Mar 2004 – Mansel Aylward to Ben S (WACG) Subject: The PACE Trial Asking for clarification of funding email exchange. 6. 25 Mar 2004 – Mansel Aylward to Rose Lynch (MRC) Subject: The PACE Trial chkd MA just returned from annual leave. Asks for confirmation that funding invoice paid to QMUL. Queries timeline of instalments. 7. 12 May 2004 – Moira Henderson (CMG) to Mansel Aylward & Peter White Subject: FW: Article of interest on MRC research into CFS/ME CHKD Includes Independent article by Jerome Burne 8. 17 May 2004 – Peter White to TSG Subject: Approved draft minutes of PACE TSC #1 (minutes not included) 9. 28 May 2004 – Gordon Waddell to Mansel Aylward and others Subject: Re: An Interesting systematic review GW agrees with most of MA’s points. Raises “more general question of how much (in)capacity for work is a matter of health (or health care)? Might this also link to the other questions we have discussed about ‘motivation’ to work/personal responsibility and choice etc that may account for some (a lot?) of the missing variance?” Includes message of 27 May 2004 from MA to GW and others – Important points listed but review not included. Includes message of 25 May 2004 from PW to MA – subject: An interesting systematic review (not included) 10. 22 July 2004 – Mansel Aylward to Peter White Subject: Conflicts of Interest of Independent Members of the PACE Trial Steering Committee MA confirms he has no CoIs. Includes letter of 18 June from PW to TSC members. 11. 28 July 2004 – Peter White to Robin Buckle Subject: Permission to use logos on important PACE documents PW asks for permission to put PACE funders’ logos on important PACE docs, such as the protocol. Handwritten reply from MA that, “The DWP is most content to be associated with the PACE initiative [?].” 12. 29 July 2004 – CSO SEHD to Mansel Aylward & DH Subject: Permission to use logos on important PACE documents Scottish Health CSO says, “keen to publicise our support for this trial to show that we are in favour of evidence-based approaches to managing CFS/ME.” etc. Includes email 11. 13. 29 July 2004 – Ron Kirby (DH) to Mansel Aylward & CSO SEHD Subject: Permission to use logos on important PACE documents Advises that DH logo should not be used in case it implied that doc is DH publication when it is not, as “publication would probably benefit if its independence was not in doubt.” Includes start of email 11. 14. 14 Sept 2004 – Rose Lynch (MRC) to Mansel Aylward Subject: RE: PACE Trial RL informs MA that PACE trial started on 14 June, and outlines funding due. Includes message of 30 Apr 2004 MA to RL. 15. 15 Sept 2004 – Rhiannon Powell to Mansel Aylward Subject: PACE Programme (Chkd) RP thanking MA for making Thursday’s meeting such a huge success. Following up on a few points, asking for contact details for someone involved in raising awareness for the issues for people with chronic fatigue, and for email versions of the slides presented. MA has made notes for reply. 16. 28 Sept 2004 – Mansel Aylward to T Powell Subject: CHKD RE: PACE Programme Contact details for Chris Clarke (Chief Exec of AfME) involved in raising awareness of issues for people with CFS, so that she can say that MA provided her with his name etc. 17. 16 Nov 2004 – Mansel Aylward to CMG Finance Dept? Subject: Chkd PACE TRIAL (MRC – Peter D White). HDWD transfer of £40k Confirmation of £40k transferred by HDWD to CMG’s budget in payment of first annual tranche for PACE MRC Trial contribution to funding.
I don't have the energy to follow all this, but I just wanted to say thank you to all of you making such herculean efforts beavering away getting at the truth. Great job.
There's not much of anything in there - mostly just admin and procedural stuff (and a hefty pinch of arrogance). Unless someone has spotted something I haven't. [Update: I've put screenshots of the pdfs into a single Word file if that would be useful to anyone. If it would be useful to produce a transcript too, let me know.]
Yes, FOI. I'm doing my best to get all this correspondence, but they only release a little at a time. If they get lots of FOIs they can claim 'campaign' and 'vexatious' and stop completely.
I'd be interested in that. I've still not had a chance to go through these, but I would like to at some point. Thanks for all your notes.
Message me your email address and I'll send it to you. I'm also doing the same with 2003, using your notes - I hope that's OK.
The 4th file (https://www.s4me.info/attachments/4671-14-09-2004-lynch-rose-to-ma-r-pdf.2049/) contains two emails. In the first (at the bottom of the page) Aylward writes to an MRC employee about how the MRC should invoice the DWP for payments relating to PACE. In that email, Aykward also refers to a payment of £8,000 to Peter White for a "separate project".** It appears the DWP was paying this to White for something unrelated to PACE. Does anyone know of White (or his research group) doing other work/research funded by DWP? Might this be a consultancy fee? Possibly an undisclosed conflict of interest? [** The sentence in question appears to have a typo ("quote" instead of "quite").]