Michelle Mone and Douglas Barrowman have acquired a luxurious £10 million apartment on Fisher Island in Florida, a prestigious enclave dubbed ‘Billionaire Island.’ Despite facing pressure to repay substantial amounts to the UK government in relation to the PPE scandal, the couple purchased the four-bedroom, five-bathroom property in July.
Situated in one of the most exclusive locations in the United States, Fisher Island is accessible only by ferry, yacht, or helicopter and is renowned for housing some of the wealthiest individuals globally. The acquisition of their opulent residence preceded a High Court ruling that mandated PPE Medpro, a company led by Barrowman, to reimburse £122 million to the government due to supplying faulty surgical gowns during the pandemic.
Speculations had been circulating about Mone, a former lingerie magnate, relocating to the US. Fisher Island has a history of attracting high-profile residents, including celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Julia Roberts.
Following a stringent vetting process by the elite Fisher Island Club committee, the couple’s purchase was approved. Their new apartment offers extravagant features such as panoramic ocean views and private lift access, providing a stark contrast to the mounting scrutiny they face over the PPE scandal in the UK.
Their 5,000 square foot corner flat, nestled in an upscale waterfront building on Fisher Island, boasts a wraparound terrace with stunning vistas of Miami Beach, Biscayne Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean. Internally, the apartment showcases a modern kitchen equipped with top-of-the-line appliances, bespoke fittings, and granite countertops.
Barrowman, aged 60 and an avid golfer, can take advantage of the nearby nine-hole golf course, while Baroness Mone, aged 54, can enjoy the island’s exclusive amenities, including a private gym, hair salon, and upscale dining venues. Observers have spotted the couple dining at various luxury establishments on the island. Despite having previously owned a £6.8 million yacht, Lady M, the couple has since sold it.
The revelations about the couple’s extravagant lifestyle emerge amid increased scrutiny of their financial affairs and Mone’s position in the House of Lords. Calls for Mone’s resignation have resurfaced following the High Court’s directive for PPE Medpro to refund £122 million after supplying 25 million substandard surgical gowns during the health crisis.
In a recent ruling, it was determined that the gowns, manufactured in China, were inadequately sterilized. Mone, ennobled by David Cameron in 2015, allegedly recommended PPE Medpro through the government’s ‘VIP lane’ on the same day the company was established in May 2020.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has demanded the full repayment of the sum, emphasizing the need to recover taxpayers’ money. However, PPE Medpro failed to meet the October 15 repayment deadline and subsequently filed for administration, raising doubts about the possibility of retrieving the funds.
Mone and Barrowman have initiated the sale of portions of their real estate holdings in the UK, including a £19 million London townhouse and two residences in Glasgow. Mark Williams-Thomas, representing Lady Mone, disclosed that Barrowman’s investment company purchased the Fisher Island property with the intention of renovating and reselling it.
“Mr. Barrowman is an experienced investor with a track record spanning 35 years across various asset classes,” Williams-Thomas stated. “His property division recently acquired a property on Fisher Island, Miami, with plans for refurbishment and eventual resale.”