A company associated with Baroness Mone and her husband, Doug Barrowman, has reportedly redistributed most of the government funds it received for personal protective equipment (PPE) to other firms, according to a spokesperson for Mr. Barrowman. A recent High Court judgment mandated that PPE Medpro refund £122 million to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) because the gowns supplied failed to meet sterility standards.
Out of the £122 million, approximately £83 million went to other companies, and there is a “very strong case” for the administrator to pursue those firms for repayment, as claimed by the spokesperson. Health Secretary Wes Streeting indicated that his department would aim to “recover everything we can.”
Mr. Barrowman explained in a 2023 BBC interview that PPE Medpro was established as a consortium with Loudwater Trade and Finance and Eric Beare Associates in order to provide PPE to the British government as a UK-based entity. Baroness Mone, a Conservative peer at that time, facilitated the company’s entry into a “VIP lane” for preferential access to government contracts. The spokesperson stated that PPE Medpro itself did not perform the technical quality control and sterility assurance, which were allegedly managed by other consortium members.
Following the initiation of legal action by the government, the other participants distanced themselves from PPE Medpro, communicating solely through legal channels. The company’s directors have begun the process of administration, with plans to wind it up and recover funds for creditors. However, PPE Medpro only possesses £666,000 in assets, making it unlikely to fully repay the DHSC.
Despite Baroness Mone not holding any formal position in the company, calls for her to personally repay the funds persist among some politicians. The spokesperson for Mr. Barrowman has characterized the focus on him as “incredibly unfair,” emphasizing the involvement of the other consortium members. Mr. Barrowman himself has admitted to receiving around £60 million from PPE Medpro, with Baroness Mone claiming a portion is held in a trust in the Isle of Man, potentially benefiting her and her children. The National Crime Agency is currently investigating the case involving PPE Medpro, but it has not confirmed whether it is also looking into the other consortium members.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy0v4plld8ro?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss