A PPE company associated with Baroness Michelle Mone has been officially closed down for failing to repay a significant debt to the government. PPE Medpro, which went into administration owing £148 million to the Department of Health and Social Care following a legal battle over ineffective Covid gowns, is also reportedly in debt to the tax authorities.
The decision to wind up the company was made during a court hearing in London, where the judge highlighted the substantial debt incurred by supplying faulty equipment during a critical time. The government is pushing for the company to be placed under the Official Receiver’s control to facilitate further investigations into the debt recovery process.
Baroness Mone, known for her involvement with Ultimo lingerie, has come under scrutiny and calls to relinquish her OBE and peerage due to her ties with PPE Medpro. The company, established to supply PPE to the UK government during the pandemic, faced legal challenges over the quality of its products, leading to the court’s intervention.
Despite initial denial of any connection to PPE Medpro, Baroness Mone later admitted her involvement and acknowledged receiving substantial profits from the company. The National Crime Agency is now investigating both her and the company regarding financial irregularities. The ongoing saga has left the Department of Health and Social Care with a considerable outstanding debt, including interest charges.
Efforts are being made to recover funds from the company’s assets, but the situation remains complex. The administrators are exploring potential legal actions against third parties that could result in substantial financial recoveries. Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the government’s commitment to reclaiming taxpayer funds from entities like PPE Medpro, stressing the importance of accountability in the midst of a national crisis.
Baroness Mone and her husband deny any wrongdoing despite the mounting allegations and financial troubles surrounding PPE Medpro.