Man arrested in investigation into PSA Medpro

A 46-year-old man was arrested as part of the National Crime Agency’s investigation into PPE Medpro.

The NCA is investigating suspected criminal offences related to the consortium’s procurement of PPE contracts.

The 46-year-old suspect from Barnet, north London, was arrested at his home on Wednesday morning, the agency said.

He was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and attempted obstruction of justice and is currently being questioned by NCA officers.

PPE Medpro, a consortium led by Doug Barrowman, husband of Baroness Mone, was awarded government contracts worth over £200 million to supply personal protective equipment after Lady Mone recommended it to ministers.

Lingerie entrepreneurs Lady Mone, 52, and Mr Barrowman, 59, have come under criticism over so-called “VIP lane” contracts awarded to some companies to supply items designed to protect against coronavirus infection during the COVID pandemic.

The couple denies any wrongdoing.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has now launched proceedings for breach of contract in relation to the 2020 contract for the supply of gowns.

The law firm is defending itself against the lawsuit.

In January this year, Mr Barrowman said his family had been “treated like a punching bag” because of ministers’ “deplorable failures” in procuring personal protective equipment during the pandemic.

In a statement published by Lady Mone on X, he said it “fits the agenda” of the British government to make him and his wife the scapegoat.

Lady Mone has admitted that she lied when she denied having any links to the company.