Crown Prosecution Service has obtained a court order freezing assets controlled by former Tory peer, Michelle Mone and her husband, Doug Barrowman.
Gatekeepers News reports that PPE Medpro, led by Mr. Barrowman, is under investigation for contracts exceeding £200m to supply PPE to the NHS through a VIP lane.
The National Crime Agency is currently investigating “suspected criminal offences” in contracts for personal protective equipment (PPE) awarded during the Covid pandemic to PPE Medpro.
According to the Financial times, assets worth £75m, including properties and bank accounts, have been frozen or restrained under a court order obtained by the CPS.
Commenting on the court order, the couple’s spokesperson said: “This comes as a result of a consensual process during which negotiations took place with the CPS. It allows the wider businesses and assets of the Barrowman family to operate normally and free from any restrictions or uncertainties. “Doug and Michelle did not contest the application and were happy to offer up these assets, which means they can begin the task of proving their innocence more quickly.
“Mr Barrowman finds it deplorable that private matters such as this are being conducted in the public realm via leaks from government departments and the CPS.”
The couple, who admitted lying about their involvement with the firm, faces a lawsuit from the Department for Health and Social Care for £122m plus costs for “breach of contract and unjust enrichment”.
Millions of gowns the company supplied to the NHS were never used but the couple say these were supplied in accordance with the contract, and PPE Medpro has said it will “rigorously” defend the claim.
