A company associated with Michelle Mone was instructed to repay a sum of £122 million due to questionable PPE dealings. This development initially provided some solace to affected individuals, but their discontent resurfaced upon learning that another firm linked to her husband, Douglas Barrowman, acquired a lavish £10 million residence in Florida.
An entity within the Barrowman Group recently invested in a luxurious four-bedroom property on Fisher Island, often referred to as “Billionaire Island,” in July. Notably, this transaction took place prior to the High Court’s directive for PPE Medpro, owned by a group led by Mone’s husband, to return the funds allocated by the government for faulty surgical gowns. Subsequently, PPE Medpro entered administration on the same day as the court ruling and failed to meet the repayment deadline of October 15.
Deborah Doyle, who tragically lost her mother in a care facility in 2020, expressed deep dismay upon discovering the acquisition of the high-end property, perceiving it as an additional affront amidst the unresolved financial matters involving PPE Medpro. The Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice collective condemned the purchase of the extravagant residence while outstanding debts remain, advocating for the removal of Mone’s titles and recognition.
Secluded on Fisher Island, accessible solely by boat or helicopter, the property was procured by Barrowman’s firm for refurbishment purposes. In response to the situation, a representative clarified that the acquisition was part of routine investment activities, emphasizing the intention to renovate and subsequently sell the property.
The Department for Health and Social Care pursued legal action against PPE Medpro for supplying 25 million defective gowns during the pandemic, with the Health Secretary vowing to aggressively pursue the recovery of misappropriated funds for the benefit of the NHS. Mone allegedly recommended the company for government contracts in May 2020, prompting scrutiny over her involvement in the controversial PPE deals.
Despite the mounting criticism, Mone and Barrowman asserted their innocence, attributing the situation to being unfairly targeted. Meanwhile, the consortium expressed willingness to engage in discussions with the government to resolve the financial dispute, criticizing the lack of proactive response from the authorities.