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The NCA is currently investigating a £3m transfer to Michelle Mone’s bank account in connection to the PPE contract scandal.
The peer has admitted to lying about not being connected to PPE Medpro, a group led by her husband Doug Barrowman that profited millions from personal protective equipment deals during the Covid pandemic.
The NCA is currently conducting an investigation on the company for potential violations in their contracts with the Conservative government, involving the supply of gowns and face masks totaling more than £200m.
The National Crime Agency is investigating a payment of £3 million that was deposited into Baroness Mone’s Coutts bank account, as part of their official investigation, as reported by the Sunday Times.
The newspaper reported that it was of interest because it arrived after £65m in PPE Medpro profits were transferred to trusts and accounts linked to Mr Barrowman.
Ms. Mone has stated publicly that she is not the direct recipient of any profits made by PPE Medpro during the pandemic.
The entrepreneur who made her fortune in the lingerie industry recently stated in a YouTube documentary: “I am married to him and may indirectly benefit, but that is the same for all married families. That money is not mine; I do not possess it.”
During a recent interview with the BBC, Ms. Mone stated that the profits of PPE Medpro are owned by her spouse, Doug Barrowman.
During an interview with Laura Kuenssberg on BBC, the individual made similar statements. They clarified that the money in question belongs to their spouse and not them or their children.
Baroness Mone told the host: “I’m saying to you that I didn’t receive that cash. That cash is not my cash, that cash is my husband’s cash, we are married. If one day, God forbid, my husband passes away before me, then I am a beneficiary, as well as his children and my children, so yes, of course.”
In addition to the NCA investigation, the government filed a lawsuit against PPE Medpro in December regarding their contract for sterile gowns in 2020. The company is currently disputing the legal action.
Lady Mone has responded to the Conservative government in the ongoing dispute, stating that ministers were aware of her role in the profitable Covid contracts from the start.
Baroness Mone’s recent interview on the BBC sparked renewed controversy surrounding the procurement of PPE.
Earlier this month, on X (formerly known as Twitter), she tweeted that she was truthful in her interactions with the Cabinet Office, the government, and the NHS. She also stated that they were aware of her involvement from the start.
The person behind a lingerie business has attempted to voice her disapproval of Michael Gove and other members of the Conservative party in a dispute. She claims that she reached out to Mr. Gove, who was serving as the Cabinet Office minister during the beginning of the pandemic, with an offer to assist.
The peer also alleged that Mr Gove and Sir Chris Wormald, a top official in the health department, were responsible for a “significant amount of money being wasted in PPE contracts”. She believes that they should face consequences for their actions.
Former Conservative health minister Lord Bethell accused Ms Mone of not being transparent about her financial interest when speaking to him. Mr Gove stated that he has been working with the NCA during their investigation.
Michelle Mone, the Baroness, has expressed regret for not disclosing her participation in PPE contracts.
Lady Mone, who was appointed as a Conservative member of the House of Lords during David Cameron’s tenure as Prime Minister, has been confirmed by the Tory party to have lost her membership and is not currently entitled to participate in the decision-making process in the House of Lords.
The businessperson, who temporarily left parliament last year, is being urged to be prohibited from the House of Lords. Additionally, Rishi Sunak has stated that the government is giving high priority to the PPE Medpro case.
Baroness Mone has been asked to provide a statement regarding the report from the Sunday Times. The NCA has chosen not to respond to inquiries about the allegation of a £3m payment.
The NCA has stated that its International Corruption Unit launched an inquiry in May 2021 regarding potential criminal acts in the acquisition of PPE contracts by PPE Medpro.
Source: independent.co.uk
