Baroness Michelle Mone’s PPE Ordered to Pay £122M to UK Government

Michelle Mone PPE scandal 2025: The High Court has ruled that PPE Medpro, a company linked to Baroness Michelle Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman, must repay nearly £122 million to the UK government. This decision comes after the company was found to have breached a contract to supply 25 million surgical gowns during the Covid-19 pandemic.

What Did Michelle Mone and PPE Medpro Do?

PPE Medpro secured government contracts in 2020 through an expedited “VIP lane,” allegedly recommended by Baroness Michelle Mone. The contract involved supplying gowns to the NHS during the coronavirus crisis. However, the gowns were later deemed “faulty” and non-sterile, making them unsafe for healthcare use. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) filed a lawsuit to recoup the £121 million paid, in addition to storage and transportation costs exceeding £8 million.

Court Order in the £122 Million PPE Contract Case

The judge found that PPE Medpro failed to provide evidence that the gowns underwent the necessary sterilization processes required by the contract. Almost half of the tested gowns failed sterility tests, breaching strict medical standards. The gowns, delivered between August and October 2020, were rejected in December 2020 and have remained unused in storage.

A High Court judge has ruled PPE Medpro must repay £121,999,219 to the UK government after breaching its NHS gown contract.

The firm, linked to Baroness Michelle Mone, was found to have failed to prove gowns met sterilisation standards. #PPE #MichelleMone pic.twitter.com/eG6BKr4DOK

— BPI News (@BPINewsOrg) October 1, 2025

Baroness Mone’s Response and Allegations Against the Government

Michelle Mone publicly accused the UK government of “scapegoating” her and her husband, claiming the case is a political distraction from broader mismanagement of PPE procurement. She asserted that PPE Medpro offered settlement offers rejected by the government, and highlighted that other suppliers who provided faulty goods faced no legal action. The government denies wrongdoing, emphasizing the case focuses strictly on contract compliance.

Doug Barrowman and Michelle Mone’s Role in the PPE Award

The consortium that led PPE Medpro was headed by Doug Barrowman, a businessman and spouse of Baroness Michelle Mone. Both have denied any financial wrongdoing related to the contracts. The couple acknowledged involvement in securing contracts but insist they complied fully, claiming the gowns met international standards.

Impact of This UK Government Win on PPE Procurement Scandal

This court ruling serves as a significant government victory aimed at recovering taxpayer money wasted on unfit PPE supplies. Chancellor Rachel Reeves welcomed the decision, stressing recovered funds will support public services like schools and the NHS. The judgment also highlights ongoing scrutiny over the UK government’s handling of PPE procurement during the pandemic.

What’s Next for PPE Medpro and Baroness Michelle Mone?

The company has filed for administrator appointment due to financial pressure caused by this ruling. Further legal hearings will address consequential matters. The PPE Medpro case remains under close watch as it symbolizes broader concerns about transparency and accountability in emergency government contracts.