Gove breaks silence on Michelle Mone PPE probe after being dragged into row

Cabinet Minister Michael Gove has mentioned he needs detectives investigating Baroness Michelle Mone over an enormous PPE deal to resolve it “as quickly as possible”.

The prime Tory confirmed he had cooperated with the National Crime Agency (NCA) probe into the scandal round PPE Medpro, which was awarded Government contracts for face masks and robes price greater than £200million. Baroness Mone lastly admitted to mendacity to journalists over her position in securing contracts for the consortium led by her husband Doug Barrowman – and to benefitting from offers that turned £60million in revenue.

But the Scottish lingerie tycoon claims that the Government knew about her involvement “from the very beginning” and mentioned she personally contacted Mr Gove to supply assist in the early scramble to get PPE. Baroness Mone advised the BBC there was “call to arms for all lords, baronesses, MPs, senior civil servants, to help, because they needed massive quantities of PPE”. She added: “I just said, ‘We can help, and we want to help.’ And he [Mr Gove] was like, ‘Oh my goodness, this is amazing’.”

The firm was referred to the Government’s “VIP Lane” and later awarded contracts price greater than £200million. However Baroness Mone and her husband are being probed by the NCA on suspicion of fraud and bribery. The Department of Health and Social Care can be suing PPE Medpro for breach of contract after allegedly supplying non-sterile robes.

Answering questions after delivering a housing speech in London, Mr Gove mentioned: “I’ve cooperated with that [NCA] inquiry because I want to ensure that it reaches its conclusion quickly, that justice can be served. If there are further questions to ask about PPE procurement – and I believe the Government has a strong record – then I am more than happy to do so with the Covid Inquiry.”

Asked if she ought to stay a Tory peer, he mentioned: “My understanding is that she is not officially a Conservative peer, my understanding is she is not officially a member of the Conservative party. That’s my understanding of the position at the moment.

“As I mentioned earlier, Baroness Mone is topic to a NCA inquiry. I hope that inquiry leads to a case being introduced as shortly as attainable.” His aide clarified that he mis-spoke and meant to say that he hoped the NCA would conclude its inquiries quickly.

Baroness Mone, who was appointed to the Lords by David Cameron in 2015, has declared struggle on the Government, accusing Mr Gove and prime well being division official Sir Chris Wormald of overseeing “vast waste” in PPE contracts. She tweeted: “I have admitted my mistakes. Michael Gove and Sir Chris Wormald also need to be held to account, not least for the vast waste in PPE that they oversaw.”

The couple have apologised for denying their hyperlinks to PPE Medpro for 3 years however denied wrongdoing. Baroness Mone advised the BBC on Sunday: “I don’t honestly see there’s a case to answer. I can’t see what we’ve done wrong.” Her husband claims they’re being handled because the “Bonnie and Clyde” of PPE to divert consideration from Government failings.

Baroness Mone, who has had the Tory whip suspended whereas she takes a go away of absence from the House of Lords, faces a separate Lords probe for failing to declare her curiosity in PPE Medpro.