Barrowman Calls for PPE Medpro Administrator to Chase Partners Over Unpaid Millions

Mone's Husband Barrowman Urges Chase for Partners Over PPE Money In a recent development, Doug Barrowman, husband of Conservative peer Baroness Mone, has suggested that the administrator should pursue other companies involved in the PPE Medpro scandal to recover millions of pounds. The comments come after a judge ordered PPE Medpro to repay £122 million due to substandard gowns supplied to the government. According to Barrowman's spokesperson, £83 million of the total amount was paid to other firms, raising questions about accountability and transparency in the procurement process. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has stated that his department will seek to recover as much money as possible from those involved. The PPE Medpro scandal has sparked widespread criticism and raised concerns about the government's handling of contracts during the pandemic. In 2023, Barrowman told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg that the company was set up as a consortium with Loudwater Trade and Finance and Eric Beare Associates to provide personal protective equipment to the British government. Barrowman emphasized the importance of creating a UK-based business to meet the government's preferences. However, critics have argued that this arrangement may have led to a lack of oversight and accountability in the procurement process. Experts point out that the PPE Medpro scandal highlights broader issues with the VIP lane, which allowed companies with connections to politicians to bypass normal procurement procedures. "This case raises serious questions about the government's approach to contracting during the pandemic," said Dr. Emma Taylor, a procurement expert at the University of London. "The use of the VIP lane created an uneven playing field, where connected companies had an unfair advantage." Barrowman's suggestion that the administrator should pursue other companies for repayment has been met with skepticism by some. "While it's understandable to want to recover as much money as possible, this approach may not be effective in addressing the underlying issues," said Dr. Taylor. The current status of the PPE Medpro scandal remains uncertain, with the administrator continuing to investigate and seek repayment from those involved. As the government seeks to recover millions of pounds, questions about accountability and transparency continue to dominate the conversation. Background: PPE Medpro was one of several companies linked to Baroness Mone that received significant contracts for personal protective equipment during the pandemic. The company's involvement in the VIP lane has been widely criticized, with many arguing that it created an unfair advantage for connected companies. Additional Perspectives: "This case highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in government contracting," said Labour MP Rachel Reeves. "The use of the VIP lane was a mistake from the start. It's time to reform our procurement processes to ensure fairness and equality," added Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale. Next Developments: As the PPE Medpro scandal continues to unfold, questions about accountability and transparency will remain at the forefront of the conversation. The government's efforts to recover millions of pounds from those involved will be closely watched, with many calling for greater reforms to prevent similar scandals in the future. *Reporting by Bbc.*