‘Britain’s FBI’ investigating PPE scandal linked to ‘Baroness Bra’ Michelle Mone interview at least five suspects under caution – as case reaches China
Officers from Great Britain FBI‘ investigation into the PPE scandal related to Baroness Michelle Mone have tentatively interviewed at least five suspects as the case extends so far China.
A 46-year-old man from Barnet, North Londonthis week became the latest business partner of Mone, 52, and her husband, Doug Barrowman, 59, to be interviewed as part of the National Crime Agency Investigation (NCA).
He was held at his home on Wednesday after being arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit fraud and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
The man was later released under investigation.
He became the first arrest since the NCA launched its investigation in 2021 into suspected criminal offenses in the procurement of PPE contracts by PPE Medpro.
Agents of the ‘British FBI’ investigating the PPE scandal linked to Baroness Michelle Mone (pictured) have interviewed at least five suspects under caution
A 46-year-old man from Barnet, north London, this week became the latest business partner of Mone, 52, (pictured) and her husband, Doug Barrowman, 59, to be questioned as part of the National Crime Agency investigation.
At least three business associates of Mone and Barrowman have now been interviewed by the NCA under caution, the NCA said The Sunday times.
PPE Medpro, a consortium led by Mr Barrowman, was awarded government contracts worth more than £200 million supply personal protective equipment after Lady Mone recommended it to ministers.
It was revealed that the case had taken place reached as far as China, where the face masks and gowns were sourced from factories through a Hong Kong company called Eric Beare Associates.
The Sunday Times reported that agents had spoken to company officials electronically instead of flying to Asia.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has since launched breach of contract proceedings over the 2020 agreement over the supply of gowns.
Baroness Mone – who founded the Ultimo lingerie empire and earned the nickname Baroness Bra – has admitted she lied when she denied had ties to PPE Medpro.
She now accepts that she was involved in the company.
PPE Medpro, a consortium led by Mr Barrowman, has been awarded government contracts worth more than £200 million to supply personal protective equipment after Lady Mone recommended it to ministers
The couple are at the center of a major scandal over the supply of personal protective equipment during Covid
The couple are being investigated by the NCA over allegations of fraud and bribery, involving a £3 million payment transferred to Baroness Mone’s Coutt’s bank account be part of the probe.
Both Lady Mone and Mr Barrowman deny any wrongdoing.
A spokesperson for the NCA: ‘Investigations must follow all reasonable lines of inquiry. In serious economic crime, these lines of inquiry can be incredibly complex – from global financial investigation exercises to the need to examine large amounts of digital material.
‘These complex cases require time to ensure a thorough, independent and objective investigation.’
