Michelle Mone and Carol Vorderman's biggest rows after £122million PPE scandal

Carol Vorderman dropped Baroness Michelle Mone over "how much she lied". The pair were once extremely close and enjoyed a string of luxury nights out, but their bond came crashing down after a string of scandals linked to the businesswoman.

The former Countdown star, 64, and Baroness Mone, 53, began to drift apart after Michelle's involvement in the awarding of government PPE contracts. Carol previously appeared on Good Morning Britain and revealed that she dropped Michelle after she "realised just how much she lied," before Mone entered the political arena.

At the time, Vorderman added: "We all know what happened there," while anchor Adil Ray intervened to say that Mone had "denied any allegations of corruption." It emerged on Wednesday that a firm linked to Mone must repay the Government almost £122 million after breaching a contract to supply 25 million surgical gowns during the coronavirus pandemic.

• Keith Urban pals 'not surprised' by split from Nicole Kidman after two decades
• Cheryl Tweedy seen for first time since Liam Payne's funeral and stalking hell

Mone previously addressed allegations, stating: "I was asked to help at a time of national emergency. I declared all necessary interests and have done nothing wrong."

Here, we take a look at some of Vorderman and Mone's biggest feuds over the years and cryptic social media digs.

Lies

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Carol spoke about the breakdown of their friendship and branded Michelle a "liar." She said: "I knew her many years ago for about 18 months and dropped her as a friend because I realised just how much she lied.

"This was way before she went into the political arena, and we all know what happened there." Host Adil added at the time that Mone had denied allegations of corruption. Carol went on to add: "Yes, of corruption, but she's admitted, obviously, that her husband ran the PPE Medpro. That's really where it started."

"Useless PPE"

In 2023, Carol had also called Michelle out during an appearance on ITV's This Morning. It was during this broadcast that Carol also demanded that Michelle "sue" her. She said: "I cannot talk about useless PPE without also talking about Michelle Mone who was brought into the House of Lords, as a baroness, by David Cameron. We know she has taken leave of absence without losing the Tory whip to start with because she was actively involved, as it goes, with a company called PPE Medpro."

She furiously added: "Now Michelle Mone, I knew, many years ago and then dropped her like a stone as soon as I realised what kind of person she was," before looking at the camera and commenting: "Sue me, Michelle." Host Alison Hammond was quick to attempt to shut Carol down, explaining that Michelle wasn't able to defend herself against the comments.

However, a source close to Baroness Mone later hit out, branding Vorderman "publicity-hungry". A source told us: "Baroness Mone will not be commenting on this publicity-hungry person." They also slapped down Vorderman’s claim the peer and her husband Doug Barrowman paid for a super yacht and a private jet with money from the PPE contracts.

"VIP-lane contracts"

Carol's blood had been boiling over the PPE VIP-lane scandal – contracts for billions of pounds of personal protective equipment awarded to Tory associates. She told the Mirror: "I was getting more and more angry about the VIP-lane contracts.

"I'm fascinated by numbers, and I kept looking at them, trying to piece together the jigsaw. It was just so obviously wrong. It was bad enough about the partying, but this was even worse.

"I'd covered stories on Welsh telly during the first lockdown, talking to all these incredible people helping people – amazing dinner ladies, kids with 3D printers printing PPE for doctors to wear.

"We'd made my online maths platform free to half a million homeschooling children. It felt like everyone was doing their bit. So, to learn that the same time these people were profiteering? Well, what is the definition of corruption if it isn't that?"

"Slam them in jail"

Livid after discovering Mone's involvement, Carol took to X, then known as Twitter, and demanded that Mone and her husband be locked up. She said: "'Lady' Mone broke Lords' code & was seemingly involved in fraud while nurses & doctors slaved all hours to save people in the 1st lockdown. She denied any involvement, but her husband got £65m profit & she £29m. If so, slam them in jail where they belong."

Brutal three-word comment

After the High Court ruled that a company linked to Mone had breached the government contract, the huge sum of money must be repaid by PPE Medpro. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) brought the case, saying it provided 25 million "faulty", non-sterile gowns during the 2020 pandemic.

The High Court ruled the gowns did not comply with the requirement of having a validated process to demonstrate sterility, and it was not possible for the DHSC to have sold them and recoup the loss.

After hearing the news, Carol took to her Instagram page to share a three-word response as she shared a news story headline. Alongside it, the TV star wrote: "Yes, at last."

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Threads.