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Christmas preparations on the Isle of Man – but there’s no sign of Michelle Mone at her luxury home | Business News


She’s no stranger to the limelight. A book deal, regular television appearances, and an extensive Instagram presence are all part of a carefully crafted public image that has earned Michelle Mone a key spot in the industry. 2015.

But, Baron Mone – or “Lady M” as she calls herself – has kept a low profile in recent weeks.

A series of damaging allegations have thrust the lingerie businessman and fellow Conservative Party at the center of an alleged scandal that is engulfing the House of Lords.

She was accused of trying to “bully and boss” ministers on awarded public PPE contract valued at more than £200 million to a company called PPE Medpro during the pandemic and profited from it – a claim she vehemently denies.

now taken Vacation at the House of LordsLady Mone says she wants her name removed but so far she has been remarkably quiet.

On the Isle of Man, at the 154-acre property she shares with her husband Douglas Barrowman, preparations are underway for the festive period.

Christmas trees, wreaths and decorations adorn the house, but staff – who have been asked not to speak to journalists – insist they do not know where the couple is.

It’s a peaceful corner of the island, and the gated property may help Mone hide from the growing scandal – but the problem won’t go away anytime soon.

House of Lords is looking into whether Mone broke any rules and the National Crime Agency has opened a fraud investigation into PPE Medpro, the capes are unusable because they are not. tested by the NHS.

Some official reports will follow but Lady Mone’s rep has described it as a “witch hunt”.

The focus of the storm was Michelle and her husband, Douglas. According to files compiled by HSBC, first obtained by The Guardian, accounts linked to Barrowman and later Mone, received millions of pounds in transfers from PPE Medpro.

Michelle Mone was accepted into the House of Lords as Baron Mone of Mayfair, after being made a Tory member.
Picture:
Michelle Mone is accepted into the House of Lords as Baron Mone of Mayfair, after being made a co-worker of the Tory

Another leaked document lists PPE Medpro as an “entity” of the Barrowman family office, the Knox family office on the Isle of Man.

It was prepared by Anthony Page, chief financial officer at one of its trusts and registered owner of PPE Medpro.

At his home in the center of Isle, Mr. Page kept his cool.

He declined to speak when Sky News approached him for an interview.

Neighbors described him as “a very pleasant family man” and said they were surprised by the news that he was involved in the scandal.

The situation needs ‘appropriate investigation’

Residents tell us news often spreads quickly on the Isle of Man, but there’s a sense of doom about the latest revelations. Feeling that this is just another Westminster scandal.

Frank Schuengel, councilor for Douglas South Ward, said: “It’s a big topic in the UK, probably more there (than here) because we don’t have a House of Commons. It doesn’t. applicable, we have our own government.”

“It’s not the kind of politics that I would personally do but I’m sure there will be processes and investigations.

“It’s a shame that someone doesn’t act the way you want all politicians to act.

“But I think it’s under investigation and if something goes wrong, one would expect that any investigation would uncover that.”

Baroness Mone (centre) before the Opening of Parliament by Queen Elizabeth II, in the House of Commons at the Palace of Westminster in London.  PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo.  Date of picture: Wednesday, June 21, 2017. View POLITICAL PA's story Speech.  Image credits should read: Stefan Rousseau / PA Wire
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Baroness Mone (centre) before Queen Elizabeth II’s opening of parliament in 2017

Some wanted to avoid reaching a conclusion before the investigation was complete, but others decided.

On the Strand, the main shopping street in Douglas, a local said: “It’s disappointing. I think whoever does that isn’t really an ethical person. So that’s it. a bad example. Hopefully more will come to light.”

Another added: “I just think it’s terrible. There’s been a lot of anomaly around all PPE supplies during the pandemic. As for Michelle Mone… and the situation surrounding that, I thought a proper investigation was necessary.”

‘Corruption at the highest level’

Mone’s lawyers claim she took only the “simple, solitary and brief step” of introducing the company to the government.

They confirmed she and her husband, Douglas, were not involved in PPE Medpro, nor played any role in the awarding of a government contract to the company.

Baroness Michelle Mone attends the 2019 National Assembly Opening Ceremony.
Picture:
Baroness Michelle Mone attends the opening ceremony of parliament in 2019

That was before a series of damaging emails emerged showing ministers pressuring her to hand over the Medpro PPE. government contract.

At the height of the pandemic, she wrote to the former health secretary Matt Hancockis said to have said: “I will make all this public.

“I smell rats here. It’s not just the usual bureaucracy, incompetence and bureaucracy. That was to be expected! I believe there is corruption at the highest levels here and a cover-up is taking place. going on… Don’t say I didn’t warn you when Panorama or Horizon ran a documentary exposing all of this.

“I say a level playing field for all.”

Read more:
‘Shameful and toxic’ MPs demand answers on billions of PPEs gone up in smoke
Government PPE contract disputes could cost taxpayers £2.7 billion, MPs say

PPE Medpro was subsequently awarded two contracts worth more than £200 million without a bid. The entire process is currently under scrutiny.

Lady Mone foresaw this – but perhaps she didn’t expect to be the center of it all.

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