Carol Vorderman, renowned British TV personality and mathematics whiz, has sharply reignited her long-standing feud with Michelle Mone, the controversial “Baroness Bra”, after Mone’s devastating £122 million court defeat over a failed pandemic PPE contract. Vorderman’s reaction has dominated headlines, symbolising both personal betrayal and the wider public outrage surrounding government deals and accountability.
Roots of Friendship and Fallout
Carol Vorderman and Michelle Mone were once close friends, known for their glamorous nights out and shared industry connections. Their friendship began in London, where they regularly socialised at luxury venues like The Dorchester. Despite the initial camaraderie, Vorderman made the decision to end their relationship after only 18 months, citing Mone’s alleged dishonesty and manipulative behaviour. Vorderman revealed publicly, “I dropped her like a stone as soon as I realised what kind of person she was,” underscoring the gravity of her concerns about Mone’s character.
The PPE Medpro Scandal and Court Defeat
The feud took a darker turn during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the heart of the controversy lies PPE Medpro, a company promoted by Michelle Mone and managed by her husband, Doug Barrowman. At the height of the pandemic, PPE Medpro secured a government contract worth almost £122 million to supply surgical gowns. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) accused the company of supplying 25 million gowns that failed sterility validation, making them useless for NHS purposes and unsellable.
In October 2025, the High Court ruled that PPE Medpro must repay the entire sum after breaching the contract’s requirements. The humiliating defeat left the company with less than £670,000 in assets and raised questions about how profits, estimated at up to £65 million, were funnelled into family trusts linked to both Mone and Barrowman.
Carol Vorderman’s Public Reaction: ‘Yes, at last’
No stranger to holding public figures accountable, Carol Vorderman responded to the court ruling with a viral three-word message posted on social media: “Yes, at last”. This sharp comment embodies relief and vindication after years of suspicion and public criticism of Mone’s involvement in the government contract.
Carol Vorderman has long used her platforms to call out Mone, notably demanding she be “jailed” and branding her a “liar” during televised appearances. On Good Morning Britain, Vorderman described her decision to end their friendship, referencing Mone’s “constant lying” and the subsequent scandals. Her unflinching stance on accountability has resonated with many in the UK, especially in the wake of mounting evidence of government waste and alleged corruption.
Escalation of the Feud Online and in the Press
The feud between Carol Vorderman and Mone has not been confined to private conversations. Vorderman has consistently criticised Mone on social media and daytime television, refusing to shy away from direct accusations. She famously stated on ITV’s “This Morning”: “I cannot talk about useless PPE without also talking about Michelle Mone, who was brought into the House of Lords by David Cameron. The peer has since taken a leave of absence to ‘clear her name of allegations,’ but public opinion has turned sharply against her.”
Host Alison Hammond and others have attempted to mediate, reminding audiences that Mone has denied allegations of corruption and wrongdoing. Mone herself, through official statements, continues to maintain her innocence, emphasising that she declared all interests and acted during a national emergency. Despite these defences, the court ruling has triggered a media storm and increased scrutiny.
Public and Political Impact
The scandal has sparked renewed debate about the UK government’s pandemic response and the ethics of “VIP lanes” for lucrative contracts. Vorderman and other critics point to the need for transparency and accountability, particularly when national emergencies are exploited for personal gain.
For Carol Vorderman, the court ruling stands as a “victory lap”, a hard-won moment after years of advocacy against corruption. For Mone, it is a humiliating blow that underscores the risks of political patronage and business entanglements. The feud’s spotlight on these issues has fueled calls for reform and closer oversight of political appointments and contract awards.
The Broader Legacy of Vorderman vs. Mone
Carol Vorderman’s steadfast condemnation of Michelle Mone is unique in its persistence and visibility. Their public spat epitomises much larger societal tensions, from friendship and betrayal to government waste and public trust. For Vorderman, it is not merely a personal dispute but a mission for accountability.
Michelle Mone’s downfall has become a cautionary tale about the costs of unchecked power and the necessity for public scrutiny. As the echoes of the court defeat ripple outward, Carol Vorderman remains a symbol of resilience and justice, undeterred by threats or controversy.
