Michael Gove confirms he cooperated with criminal inquiry into Mone PPE scandal | Politics News

Michael Gove has cooperated with a National Crime Agency (NCA) inquiry into a firm linked to Baroness Michelle Mone, he has confirmed.

Tory-appointed peer Baroness Mone has admitted to being involved with PPE Medpro – a company that received over £200m in government contracts during the pandemic – and that she is set to be a beneficiary of its £60m profits that have been put into a trust by her husband, Doug Barrowman.

But she claimed the pair have been made “scapegoats” by the government for its wider failings in procuring personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID crisis, and alleged Mr Gove was the minister she recommended the firm to back in 2020.

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Asked about the scandal on Tuesday, Mr Gove gave no comment on Baroness Mone’s allegations.

However, he confirmed he had cooperated with the NCA probe into the company “because I want to ensure that it reaches its conclusion quickly [and] that justice can be served”.

Mr Gove added: “If there are further questions to ask about PPE procurement, and I believe the government has a strong record, then I am more than happy to do so with the COVID inquiry.”

Asked whether Baroness Mone was still a member of his party after speculation on Monday, the housing secretary said: “My understanding, and I am no expert in this, is she is not officially a Conservative peer. My understanding is she is not a member of the Conservative Party. That’s my understanding.

“As I said earlier, Baroness Mone is subject to an NCA inquiry. I hope that inquiry results in a case being brought as quickly as possible.”