A Government spokesman confirmed Sir Patrick held a deferred share bonus which would mature in April 2021 but refused to reveal the number of shares or disclose their value.
He said he had sold his other GSK shares before starting his Government role or after a mandatory holding period.
“Upon his appointment, appropriate steps were taken to manage the Government chief scientific adviser’s (GCSA) interests in line with advice provided at the time,” said the spokesman.
Sir Patrick is “closely involved” in the operations of the Government’s vaccines taskforce as well as chairing the expert advisory panel on vaccines, according to Whitehall sources.
However, the spokesman said: “The GCSA has no input into contractual and commercial decisions on vaccine procurement which are taken by ministers following a robust cross-Government approvals regime.”
On the council for science and technology register, his personal and business interests state: “GSK shareholdings (mandatory holding period for deferred bonus).”
Everything that should be done, has been done. He sold all the shares that he was legally able to sell, before taking up his govt post. The remaining ones can't be sold yet because of the maturity date.
The process is crystal clear. He declared his interests at the beginning, and took all the steps necessary.