Disgraced former Baroness Michelle Mone has been permitted to retain around £15,000 per week in rent from a mansion subject to a freezing order, as revealed recently. Two years ago, a court froze assets totaling £75 million belonging to the ex-Conservative peer and her spouse while authorities looked into a PPE supply deal. However, the court order has been adjusted to allow them to keep rental income from a £25 million property during the ongoing investigation.
The luxurious property, situated in Belgravia, central London, is owned by an Isle of Man-based company connected to the business holdings of Mone’s husband, Doug Barrowman, aged 60. The company acquired the Grade-II listed mansion for £9.25 million in December 2020.
Permission was granted for renovations on the Belgravia estate, which include constructing a basement for a cinema room and spa. Initially listed for sale at £25 million, the property saw this modification to the freezing order approved by Judge Tony Baumgartner at a discreet hearing in Southwark Crown Court. Judge Baumgartner specified that the rental income from this property is unrestricted and can be used without limitations.
Mr. Barrowman’s consortium, PPE Medpro, secured a £122 million government contract for PPE supply during the pandemic. Subsequently, a High Court ruling in October compelled the company to refund the money due to contract breaches, amounting to £122 million. Both Baroness Mone and Mr. Barrowman have refuted any allegations of misconduct and have not faced legal charges.
PPE Medpro, currently in liquidation at the Insolvency and Companies Court, is reported to owe the Department of Health £148 million and HMRC £39 million. Following the High Court’s decision, Mone criticized the judgment as a victory for the government, emphasizing her view that the case was unwinnable against the Establishment.
