'Britain's FBI' investigating PPE scandal linked to 'Baroness Bra' Michelle Mone interview at least five suspects under caution - as case reaches China
Officers from 'Britain's FBI' investigating the PPE scandal linked to Baroness Michelle Mone have interviewed at least five suspects under caution as the case reaches as far as China.
A 46-year-old man from Barnet, north London, this week became the latest business associate of Mone, 52, and her husband, Doug Barrowman, 59, to be quizzed as part of the National Crime Agency's (NCA) probe.
He was held at his home on Wednesday having been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit fraud and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
The man was later released under investigation.
He became the first arrest since the NCA launched its investigation in 2021 into suspected criminal offences in the procurement of PPE contracts by PPE Medpro.
Officers from 'Britain's FBI ' investigating the PPE scandal linked to Baroness Michelle Mone (pictured) have interviewed at least five suspects under caution
A 46-year-old man from Barnet, north London, this week became the latest business associate of Mone, 52, (pictured) and her husband, Doug Barrowman, 59, to be quizzed as part of the National Crime Agency's probe
At least three business associates of Mone and Barrowman have now been interviewed under caution by the NCA, reported The Sunday Times.
PPE Medpro, a consortium led by Mr Barrowman, was awarded Government contracts worth more than £200 million to supply personal protective equipment after Lady Mone recommended it to ministers.
It was revealed the case had reached as far as China where the face masks and gowns were sourced from factories via a company in Hong Kong called Eric Beare Associates.
The Sunday Times reported officers had spoken to officials at company electronically rather than fly to Asia.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has since issued breach of contract proceedings over the 2020 deal on the supply of gowns.
Baroness Mone - who founded the Ultimo lingerie empire and earned the nickname Baroness Bra - has admitted she lied when denying she had any connections to PPE Medpro.
She now accepts she was involved in the business.
PPE Medpro, a consortium led by Mr Barrowman, was awarded Government contracts worth more than £200 million to supply personal protective equipment after Lady Mone recommended it to ministers
The couple are at the centre of a major scandal over the supply of PPE equipment during Covid
The couple are under investigation by the NCA over allegations of fraud and bribery, with a £3million payment made into Baroness Mone's Coutt's bank account forming part of the probe.
Both Lady Mone and Mr Barrowman deny any wrongdoing.
A spokesperson for the NCA: 'Investigations must pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry. In serious economic crime these lines of enquiry can be incredibly complex — from worldwide financial tracing exercises to the need to examine large volumes of digital material.
'These complex cases take time to ensure a thorough, independent and objective investigation.'