Kemi Badenoch criticized Michelle Mone, stating that her actions have brought disgrace to the Conservative Party and warrant severe punishment. This condemnation followed a scandal involving a company associated with Baroness Mone, which was instructed to repay more than £121 million for violating a Covid PPE contract. The Baroness, currently on a leave of absence from the House of Lords, had her Conservative membership revoked in 2022 by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
During an interview with BBC Radio Derby, Badenoch emphasized that Mone, not being a Conservative peer anymore, was rightly stripped of her privileges due to misconduct. Badenoch stressed that Mone’s actions had tarnished the party’s reputation, falsely suggesting an unfair advantage due to her political affiliation.
Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho also called for Baroness Mone’s resignation from the House of Lords, pointing out that the legal action against her initiated during the Conservative government’s tenure. Coutinho highlighted the importance of accountability in light of the situation and expressed that stepping down would be the honorable course of action.
While peerages can only be revoked by an act of Parliament, Baroness Mone could opt to resign voluntarily from her position in the Lords. The controversy stemmed from PPE Medpro, a company linked to Baroness Mone, which secured government contracts to supply 25 million surgical gowns during the pandemic. However, the firm faced legal action from the Department of Health and Social Care over alleged supply of substandard goods, leading to a High Court ruling demanding a repayment of £122 million by a specified deadline.
Following the court ruling, Chancellor Rachel Reeves affirmed the government’s commitment to recovering the funds for redirection towards essential sectors like education, healthcare, and community services. In a letter to Keir Starmer, Baroness Mone accused the government of orchestrating a campaign to damage her reputation through intimidation tactics and personal attacks.
In response to the judgment, Baroness Mone’s husband, Doug Barrowman, criticized the ruling as unjust, claiming that the trial did not reflect the reality of PPE Medpro’s operations. Barrowman alleged bias in the legal process, suggesting a predetermined outcome favoring the government’s stance.
