A recent development has sparked renewed outrage among families affected by a PPE scandal involving a company associated with Michelle Mone. The company, owned by her husband Douglas Barrowman, purchased a luxurious $10 million property in Florida shortly before being ordered to repay £122 million for faulty surgical gowns. This purchase on Fisher Island, also known as “Billionaire Island,” has reignited anger among those affected by the faulty PPE issue.
Deborah Doyle, who lost her mother in a care home due to the pandemic, expressed her disappointment at the news, calling it a “slap in the face” to frontline workers and the bereaved. The Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group also condemned the purchase, demanding that Mone be stripped of her titles for the company’s actions.
Amos Waldman, who lost his grandmother to the virus, criticized Mone for profiting from inadequate PPE supplies while living a lavish lifestyle. The group emphasized the importance of holding accountable those responsible for the faulty PPE that led to unnecessary deaths.
The property in question, located on Fisher Island, can only be accessed by boat or helicopter and has been home to celebrities like Julia Roberts and Oprah Winfrey. Mone’s representative clarified that the property was purchased for renovation and resale by Barrowman’s investment firm.
The Department for Health and Social Care took legal action against the company for providing substandard gowns during the pandemic, vowing to recover the funds owed to the government. Mone’s alleged involvement in recommending the company for government contracts has raised further concerns about accountability.
Despite facing backlash, Mone has denied any wrongdoing and claims to have been unfairly targeted over the PPE issue. The consortium behind the company has expressed willingness to engage in discussions with the government to resolve the matter, criticizing the lack of response from the authorities.
