Remember the Covid-19 pandemic / crisis back in 2020 - 21? This blog covered the pandemic extensively during those difficult times - (e.g. HERE).
Remember the urgent need for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in hospitals and elsewhere?
Remember the "High Priority Lane" (HPL) by which Ministers granted PPE contracts to numerous companies some of which had no prior experience of manufacturing such equipment to the required standards?
PPE Medpro was incorporated
on 12 May 2020 - (see Companies House). The same day, Baroness Mone referred Medpro to the HPL. Subsequently, Medpro was awarded a contract which was finalised on 26 June 2020. The goods were made at a number of factories in China and shipped to the UK. On 23 December 2020, the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) rejected the goods.Eventually, litigation took place.
On 1 October 2025, judgment was handed down and may be seen via the Judiciary website at - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care [2025] EWHC 2486 (Comm).
The case is far from straightforward and the judgment requires considerable study.
The learned judge summed up her conclusion as follows (para 330) -
New variants of the virus continue to appear - see UK Health Security Agency for the latest updates.
The Covid-19 Inquiry is on-going and is now on Module 8 (Children and Young People).
It is reported that, on the day before the judgment, PPE Medpro was placed in administration. This will undoubtedly make actual recovery of any money difficult, perhaps impossible - see Company Rescue. NB: In law, a limited company is a separate legal person to those who control (or controlled) the company. The judgment is against the private limited company - PPE Medpro.
Media
The Guardian 1 October 2025 - UK Government wins £122 m pandemic case against Michelle Mone linked form over faulty PPE
BBC News 1 October 2025 - Baroness Mone linked company ordered to pay £122 m over PPE contrac
Links added 3 October 2025
BBC News 3 March 2025 - Covid Inquiry rejects last-minute bid from Michelle Mone. The determination by Baroness Hallett (Inquiry Chair) is HERE.
Business Matters 1 October 2025 - 'As Business Matters previously reported, PPE Medpro offered to remake all 25 million gowns or pay £23 million in cash on a no-fault basis. These offers were made repeatedly from 2022 right up to — and even during — the trial, but were rejected by the DHSC.'
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