Kemi Badenoch expressed strong disapproval towards Baroness Michelle Mone for tarnishing the reputation of the Conservative Party. Badenoch emphasized that Mone’s actions led to embarrassment and brought shame to the party, clarifying that Mone’s removal from the Conservative whip was a consequence of her wrongdoing.
Following a controversy involving a company associated with Baroness Mone, which was instructed to repay over £121 million for breaching a Covid PPE contract, Badenoch reiterated her stance on the matter during an interview with BBC Radio Derby. She underscored that Mone’s misconduct did not align with conservative values and that her involvement in securing contracts was not due to her political affiliation.
Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho also weighed in on the situation, calling for Baroness Mone to step down from the House of Lords. Coutinho highlighted that the legal action against Mone’s linked company was initiated by a Conservative government, signaling the seriousness of the issue. She emphasized that resigning would be the honorable course of action for Mone in light of the circumstances.
Baroness Mone, who is currently on leave from the Lords, faced criticism as PPE Medpro, a firm connected to her, was found guilty of breaching a contract related to supplying surgical gowns during the pandemic. The company, led by Mone’s husband Doug Barrowman, was ordered to repay a substantial sum following a legal ruling.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves affirmed the government’s determination to recover the funds and allocate them to essential sectors like schools and healthcare. In response to the developments, Baroness Mone accused the government of engaging in a targeted campaign to damage her reputation, citing distressing communications she had received.
Doug Barrowman condemned the court’s decision as unjust, asserting that the trial process did not accurately represent the facts. He criticized the judgment as biased and suggested that the outcome was predetermined by the Department of Health and Social Care and the government.