Gove breaks silence on Michelle Mone PPE probe after being dragged into row
Cabinet Minister Michael Gove has said he wants detectives investigating Baroness Michelle Mone over a huge PPE deal to resolve it "as quickly as possible".
The top Tory confirmed he had cooperated with the National Crime Agency (NCA) probe into the scandal around PPE Medpro, which was awarded Government contracts for face masks and gowns worth more than £200million. Baroness Mone finally admitted to lying to journalists over her role in securing contracts for the consortium led by her husband Doug Barrowman - and to benefitting from deals that turned £60million in profit.
But the Scottish lingerie tycoon claims that the Government knew about her involvement "from the very beginning" and said she personally contacted Mr Gove to offer help in the early scramble to get PPE. Baroness Mone told the BBC there was "call to arms for all lords, baronesses, MPs, senior civil servants, to help, because they needed massive quantities of PPE". She added: "I just said, 'We can help, and we want to help.' And he [Mr Gove] was like, 'Oh my goodness, this is amazing'."
Baroness Michelle Mone has finally admitted to lying to journalists about huge PPE deals (BBC)The company was referred to the Government's "VIP Lane" and later awarded contracts worth more than £200million. However Baroness Mone and her husband are being probed by the NCA on suspicion of fraud and bribery. The Department of Health and Social Care is also suing PPE Medpro for breach of contract after allegedly supplying non-sterile gowns.
Answering questions after delivering a housing speech in London, Mr Gove said: "I've cooperated with that [NCA] inquiry because I want to ensure that it reaches its conclusion quickly, that justice can be served. If there are further questions to ask about PPE procurement - and I believe the Government has a strong record - then I am more than happy to do so with the Covid Inquiry."
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
Asked if she should remain a Tory peer, he said: "My understanding is that she is not officially a Conservative peer, my understanding is she is not officially a member of the Conservative party. That's my understanding of the position at the moment.
"As I said earlier, Baroness Mone is subject to a NCA inquiry. I hope that inquiry results in a case being brought as quickly as possible.” His aide clarified that he mis-spoke and meant to say that he hoped the NCA would conclude its inquiries soon.
Baroness Mone, who was appointed to the Lords by David Cameron in 2015, has declared war on the Government, accusing Mr Gove and top health department official Sir Chris Wormald of overseeing "vast waste" in PPE contracts. She tweeted: "I have admitted my mistakes. Michael Gove and Sir Chris Wormald also need to be held to account, not least for the vast waste in PPE that they oversaw."
The couple have apologised for denying their links to PPE Medpro for three years but denied wrongdoing. Baroness Mone told the BBC on Sunday: "I don’t honestly see there’s a case to answer. I can’t see what we’ve done wrong." Her husband claims they are being treated as the "Bonnie and Clyde" of PPE to divert attention from Government failings.
Baroness Mone, who has had the Tory whip suspended while she takes a leave of absence from the House of Lords, faces a separate Lords probe for failing to declare her interest in PPE Medpro.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
