When Michelle Mone gave an interview to the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg last month, it was against the backdrop of serious allegations she had faced since 2020. The National Crime Agency is carrying out a long-running investigation into allegations of bribery and fraud in securing her £200 million in government contracts with PPE Medpro.
She emphasized in interviews that she was a “very successful private businessman” and told Kuenssberg that she had lied for years when denying involvement in lucrative personal protective equipment deals. admitted.
The Guardian's investigative correspondent said: David Conn, To tell Nosheen Iqbal Although he welcomes his admission that he lied, the interview also raised other questions.
Monet rose to fame through her lingerie company Ultimo, which harnessed the power of new-age celebrity culture. In August 2015, Prime Minister David Cameron appointed her his “entrepreneurial czar” and gave her her title later that month. But the company's success remained in doubt, and documents show it was on the verge of bankruptcy before being rescued by Sri Lankan clothing maker MAS Holdings.
Mr Mone, Mr Barrowman and a spokesperson for PPE MedPro responded to questions from the Guardian for this article. They said: “Michel was honored to be asked to join the House of Lords by Prime Minister David Cameron following his role in the Scottish referendum campaign.” Her appointment was formally scrutinized by the then House of Lords Appointments Committee. ”
The spokesperson added: “It is laughable to suggest that Michelle had no experience in manufacturing, even though she ran a successful lingerie company for many years.''
Neither Prime Minister David Cameron nor Iain Duncan Smith responded to requests for comment. A Cabinet Office spokesperson pointed out that all titles are scrutinized by the House of Lords Appointments Committee.
Photo: Stéphane Rousseau/AP
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