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The Independent Debate

Should Michelle Mone be expelled from the House of Lords following PPE scandal? Join The Independent Debate

Despite the backlash, the defiant peer insists she ‘can’t see’ what was wrong with her actions - have your say

Monday 18 December 2023 08:04 EST
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Lying to press over PPE contract was ‘not a crime’ says Michelle Mone
Lying to press over PPE contract was ‘not a crime’ says Michelle Mone (BBC Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg)

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A Tory minister has called for Michelle Mone to be barred from the House of Lords, after she admitted she stands to benefit from £60million in profit over a PPE contract signed at the height of the Covid pandemic.

On Sunday, the Tory peer said she was “sorry” for denying her links to PPE Medpro, which was awarded government contracts worth more than £200 million to supply personal protective equipment after she recommended it to ministers.

Despite the apology, a defiant Baroness Mone added: “I don’t honestly see there is a case to answer. I can’t see what we have done wrong.”

Baroness Mone has been on a leave of absence from the Lords for more than a year as she bids to “clear her name” over the scandal. She claims she is being used as a scapegoat for the government’s Covid failings.

Now a disastrous BBC interview has seen her face renewed criticism, with energy efficiency minister Lord Callanan calling for her not return to the House of Lords, adding he “would hope that she would see sense”.

Meanwhile, ITV’s Susannah Reid said: “She thinks she is the victim because of the press intrusion… [it is] utterly remarkable she does not see how sensitive this is for people.”

And amid the criticism, Labour’s Wes Streeting has hit out at those he said had wanted to “make a quick buck at someone else’s expense” during the Covid crisis.

We want to know if you think Baroness Mone should be barred from the House of Lords following her latest admission.

Or do you agree that there isn’t “a case to answer” and Baroness Mone is being used as a “scapegoat” for the government’s Covid failings?

If you want to share your opinion then add it in the comments and we’ll highlight the most insightful ones as they come in.

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