A 46-year-old man has been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into the procurement of PPE contracts by Medpro. The arrest was made at his home in Barnet, London, and is part of a wider investigation being carried out by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Who is behind PPE MedPro?
PPE Medpro is headed by Doug Barrowman, 59, the husband of Baroness Michelle Mone. The company was awarded contracts worth more than £200 million to supply gowns and face masks during the Covid-19 pandemic. These contracts were highly controversial, as they were part of a “VIP lane” that speeded up deals for certain suppliers.
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Baroness Mone, 52, recommended PPE Medpro to ministers, resulting in these lucrative contracts. She and her husband have consistently denied any wrongdoing in the procurement process.
What did the NCA say?
The NCA confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Wednesday. “A 46-year-old man from Barnet, London, was arrested at his home address this morning. The arrest comes as part of an NCA investigation into suspected criminal offences committed by PPE Medpro in the procurement of PPE contracts. He is currently being questioned by NCA officers,” the statement said.
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The agency’s investigation aims to determine how these contracts were awarded, and whether any improper conduct was involved.
What are the allegations?
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has taken legal action against PPE Medpro over the 2020 deal. They have issued breach of contract proceedings in relation to the supply of gowns. This action suggests there were issues with the quality or delivery of the PPE provided.
In January, assets linked to Baroness Mone and Doug Barrowman were frozen. This included a townhouse in Belgravia and an estate on the Isle of Man. The seizure of these assets reflects the seriousness of the allegations and the ongoing investigation.
How have Monae and Barrowman responded?
Baroness Mone and her husband have pleaded not guilty throughout the investigation, denying any wrongdoing and saying they followed all proper procedures in securing the contract.
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Despite his denials, the controversy over the “VIP lane” contracts has not abated. Critics argue that these contracts were awarded without proper scrutiny, giving preferential treatment to certain suppliers.
What is the VIP lane?
The “VIP lane” was a process used early in the COVID-19 pandemic to speed up PPE procurement by prioritizing suppliers recommended by government officials or other influential individuals.
Although it was intended to speed up the acquisition of essential supplies, the process was criticised for lacking transparency and fairness. Some companies, including PPE Medpro, benefitted significantly from this accelerated process.
what happens next?
The NCA will continue its investigation, including questioning the recently arrested individual and examining evidence collected. The results of this investigation could have significant implications for PPE Medpro and those involved in the procurement process.
If the NCA finds evidence of criminal conduct, charges could be laid against those involved. This would add to the existing legal challenges PPE MedPro is facing from the DHSC.
Source: https://th-xuyenmoc.edu.vn
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