Man arrested in investigation of PPE Medpro company, linked to Baroness Michelle Mone

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A 46-year-old man has been arrested as part of an investigation into the procurement of contracts by PPE company Medpro, which supplied personal protective equipment during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The consortium is led by Baroness Michelle Mone’s husband Doug Barrowman, 59, and has been awarded contracts worth more than £200m to supply gowns and face masks.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) said on Wednesday: “A 46-year-old man from Barnet, London, was arrested this morning at his home address as part of an ongoing NCA investigation into suspected offenses in the purchase of PPE Contracts by PPE Medpro.

“He is currently being interviewed by NCA officers.”

Baroness Mone, 52, and her husband faced controversy over so-called “VIP lane” contracts awarded to suppliers during the coronavirus pandemic after recommending the company to ministers.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has since issued breach of contract proceedings over the 2020 gown supply agreement.

Assets linked to the couple were frozen in January while the investigation continues, with Financial times reporting that this includes a house in Belgravia and an estate on the Isle of Man.

Both Lady Mone and Mr Barrowman deny any wrongdoing.