In 2021, Baroness Mone allegedly failed to declare a financial interest with PPE Medpro (Image: Getty)

       Matt Hancock and Michael Gove are among those interviewed by the National Crime Agency as part of its investigation into a PPE company linked to Baroness Mone.

       Others questioned include Lord Bethell, a former health minister, and Lord Agnew, who served as a minister in the Cabinet Office. It is understood they were interviewed as witnesses and not under caution and there is no suggestion they were involved in any wrongdoing. All were ministers during the Covid pandemic and it is said they were contacted by Baroness Mone, 52, as she tried to secure government contracts for PPE Medpro and a second firm linked to her husband.

       The NCA is looking into the activities of the company, which was awarded ￡203million of contracts to supply face masks and medical gowns between May and June 2020. PPE Medpro also attempted to secure contracts to provide lateral flow tests but was unsuccessful.

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       Although the probe is shrouded in secrecy, it is understood the agency’s international corruption unit is looking at a range of possible offences, including bribery and fraud.

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       The PPE Medpro contracts were processed through a high-priority route that allowed MPs, ministers and senior officials to refer offers of PPE from companies to the Government, which would then decide on awarding contracts. Questions were raised about Baroness Mone, a businesswoman and Tory life peer, in 2021 after she allegedly failed to declare a financial interest with PPE Medpro.

       A House of Lords inquiry launched in January last year, to see if the peer broke lobbying rules, was paused after the NCA started to investigate PPE Medpro. Baroness Mone took leave of absence from the Lords and has lost the Tory whip while the investigations continue.

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       PPE Medpro also attempted to secure contracts to provide lateral flow tests but was unsuccessful (Image: Getty)

       She had previously denied any financial link with the company but HSBC documents leaked in November last year indicated that her husband, Doug Barrowman, was paid at least ￡65million by PPE Medpro. Files suggested ￡29 million of this was transferred into an offshore trust, from which the peer benefits.

       Three weeks ago, she and Mr Barrowman declared: “UK government was fully aware of Baroness Mone’s involvement.” The couple also disclosed publicly Mr Barrowman “was the chairman and leader of the PPE Medpro consortium that supplied the Government”.

       The couple continue to deny any wrongdoing. Baroness Mone, Mr Barrowman, Mr Gove, Mr Hancock, Lord Bethell and Lord Agnew have been approached for comment.

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