Lady Michelle Mone and her spouse, Douglas Barrowman, have invested in a luxurious $10 million apartment in an exclusive area of the United States, despite facing considerable pressure to reimburse tens of millions to the UK government due to the PPE scandal. The couple reportedly acquired a four-bedroom, five-bathroom residence on Fisher Island in Florida, also known as ‘Billionaire Island,’ in July. This private island, accessible solely by ferry, yacht, or helicopter, is home to some of the world’s wealthiest individuals. Their extravagant purchase occurred just before the High Court mandated PPE Medpro, a company led by Mr. Barrowman, to repay £122 million to the government for providing ineffective surgical gowns during the pandemic.
Speculation had been circulating that Ms. Mone, a former lingerie tycoon, had relocated to the US. Fisher Island is renowned for its high-priced real estate and has attracted numerous celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Julia Roberts. The couple underwent a thorough screening process by the elite Fisher Island Club committee, which oversees the region, before their acquisition was approved. Their new apartment, boasting luxurious amenities such as panoramic ocean views and private elevator access, contrasts with the mounting scrutiny they face regarding the PPE scandal in the UK.
Their 5,000-square-foot corner unit, situated in an upscale waterfront building on Fisher Island, features a wraparound terrace with stunning views of Miami Beach, Biscayne Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean. Internally, it showcases a modern kitchen with granite countertops, custom fixtures, and top-of-the-line appliances. Barrowman, an avid golfer at 60, can enjoy a nine-hole golf course just minutes away, while Baroness Mone, aged 54, can access the island’s private gym, salon, and fine dining establishments. Observers have spotted the couple dining at some of the exclusive spots on the island. Despite owning a £6.8 million yacht named Lady M, the couple has sold it, although Fisher Island features two marinas.
These revelations emerge amid increased scrutiny of the couple’s financial affairs and Mone’s position in the House of Lords. Calls for her resignation have resurfaced following the court’s order for PPE Medpro to refund the £122 million for providing 25 million faulty surgical gowns during the pandemic. In a recent ruling, it was discovered that the gowns from China were never appropriately sterilized. Mone, ennobled by David Cameron in 2015, allegedly recommended PPE Medpro to officials through the government’s ‘VIP lane’ on the same day the company was established in May 2020.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has demanded full repayment of the sum, emphasizing the need to recover taxpayer money. However, PPE Medpro failed to meet the repayment deadline of October 15 and has since initiated administration proceedings, potentially jeopardizing the chances of refunding the funds.
Mone and Barrowman have initiated the sale of segments of their British real estate assets, including a £19 million townhouse in London and two residences in Glasgow. Mark Williams-Thomas, representing Lady Mone, stated that Barrowman’s investment firm purchased the Fisher Island property with intentions of refurbishing and reselling it. “Mr. Barrowman, a seasoned investor with 35 years of experience in asset trading, recently acquired a property on Fisher Island, Miami, with plans for renovation and subsequent resale,” Williams-Thomas explained.