Conflicts of interest: declare early, document always
The panel member who "knows the candidate a bit" is the one who sinks the process.
Conflict of interest declarations are a merit-principle safeguard, not a bureaucratic ritual. The MPC reviews conflict declarations as part of the new promotion review model, because undisclosed conflicts go directly to whether the assessment was the primary consideration.
Declarations should happen before shortlisting, be updated if candidates change, and be recorded in writing. A panel member who has previously worked with, managed, socialised with, or mentored a candidate has a conflict. Whether it is disqualifying depends on the nature and depth of the relationship, but the declaration is not optional.
The worst outcome is a conflict revealed after the fact, during a review. At that point, the process is indefensible regardless of who the best candidate actually was.