Man arrested amid investigation into PPE Medpro company, associated with Baroness Michelle Mone

A man has been arrested by police in north London as part of an investigation into the procurement of contracts by PPE company Medpro during the Covid period.

The 46-year-old suspect, from Barnet, was arrested at his home on Wednesday morning as part of the PPE Medpro investigation, the National Crime Agency announced.

“He has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit fraud and attempting to pervert the course of justice,” a spokesman said.

“He is currently being interviewed by NCA officers.”

Conduct an investigation into alleged wrongdoing in the procurement of PPE contracts by PPE Medpro.

Baroness Michelle Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman have faced controversy over so-called “VIP lane” contracts awarded to suppliers during the coronavirus pandemic.

PPE Medpro, a consortium led by Mr Barrowman, has been awarded government contracts worth more than £200m to supply personal protective equipment after Lady Mone recommended it to ministers.

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

Both Lady Mone and Mr Barrowman deny any wrongdoing.

The couple initially vehemently denied any involvement in the firm, but it later emerged that PPE Medpro was owned by a consortium involving Mr Barrowman.

Baroness Mone has also belatedly admitted that they will benefit to the tune of £60m from the PPE contracts.

The panel, which was installed in the House of Lords in 2015, admitted in December that it had lied to journalists investigating the Medpro contracts, but insisted: “It is not a crime.”

Baroness Mone has taken a leave of absence from the House of Lords while investigations continue.