Baroness Mone’s £19million London Townhouse Sold Despite Frozen Asset Concerns
Sold Amid Legal Troubles
A luxurious six-bedroom townhouse in Belgravia, London, with ties to Baroness Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman, has been successfully sold, despite prior inclusion in a list of frozen assets. This property, along with a £6.8 million yacht known as the Lady M, was initially subject to an interim court order permitting asset seizure under the Proceeds of Crime Act. The couple faces potential prosecution related to the Covid PPE scandal.
Legal Freeze
Assets totaling approximately £75 million, linked to the couple, have been frozen as part of a comprehensive investigation by the National Crime Agency. The probe is centered on their involvement in lucrative PPE contracts valuing over £200 million during the pandemic, specifically for face masks and gowns.
Financial Transactions
The townhouse in Belgravia was acquired in 2015 for £11 million through two British Virgin Islands-registered companies, as indicated in Land Registry documents. Renovations to the property reportedly included the addition of an indoor pool and a home cinema, enhancing its opulence.
Challenges and Allegations
Baroness Mone expressed her discontent, likening her treatment to that of notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar amidst financial restrictions due to the Proceeds of Crime Act. She admitted to misinforming the media regarding her role in securing PPE contracts for Medpro, co-led by her husband, Mr. Barrowman, resulting in significant profits.
Legal Battleground
With ongoing scrutiny, the Department of Health and Social Care is pursuing a lawsuit against PPE Medpro for contract breaches involving allegedly non-sterile gowns. Additionally, Baroness Mone faces examination for potential violations of House of Lords regulations pertaining to her undisclosed interests in the aforementioned company.
Political Fallout
Following her ennoblement by David Cameron in 2015, Baroness Mone faced party discipline from the Tories after opting for a leave of absence to address allegations and safeguard her reputation.
Statement and Rebuttal
In response to media coverage surrounding the asset sales, a spokesperson for Mr. Barrowman dismissed the scrutiny as excessive intrusion into the couple’s private affairs. Emphasizing their long-standing success in business, the spokesperson highlighted the ongoing legal challenges, particularly the defense against claims concerning PPE Medpro.
FAQs
What are the key assets linked to Baroness Mone and Doug Barrowman?
Assets including a £19 million London townhouse and a £6.8 million yacht, named the Lady M, have been tied to the couple amidst legal proceedings related to the Covid PPE scandal.
What legal challenges are Baroness Mone and her husband facing?
The National Crime Agency is investigating the couple for their involvement in PPE deals during the pandemic worth over £200 million. Additionally, the Department of Health and Social Care is suing PPE Medpro, a consortium led by Mr. Barrowman, for contractual breaches.
How did Baroness Mone respond to the accusations against her?
Baroness Mone likened her treatment under the Proceeds of Crime Act to that of criminal figure Pablo Escobar. She has admitted to misleading the media regarding her role in PPE contracts and profiting from lucrative deals.
What is the current legal status of Baroness Mone and Doug Barrowman’s assets?
Assets totaling around £75 million linked to the couple have been frozen as part of a comprehensive investigation. Despite the sale of the Belgravia townhouse and the Lady M yacht, legal battles and scrutiny persist.
How has Baroness Mone’s political career been impacted by these events?
Baroness Mone, who was elevated to the House of Lords by David Cameron, faced disciplinary action from the Conservative Party after taking a leave of absence to address allegations and defend her reputation.
What was Mr. Barrowman’s response to media reports regarding the asset sales?
A spokesperson for Mr. Barrowman dismissed the media coverage as excessive intrusion into private matters, emphasizing the couple’s business success and ongoing legal battles related to PPE Medpro.
