Context:

Michelle Mone, a self-made businesswoman, rose to fame by promoting her Ultimo bra and leveraging the media to build a public persona of success, which eventually led her to a peerage in the House of Lords. Her journey began with a bold move into Selfridges, backed by investors like Tom Hunter, and was fueled by her talent for publicity, which often blurred the line between truth and myth. Despite her business's financial struggles, Mone managed to maintain a high profile, transitioning into politics and becoming a Conservative peer. However, her career took a downturn amid controversies related to PPE contracts during the COVID-19 pandemic, implicating her in a scandal involving her husband Doug Barrowman and significant financial gains through a VIP lane. Now under investigation by the National Crime Agency, Mone's story serves as a cautionary tale of ambition, media manipulation, and the perils of political entanglement.

Dive Deeper:

• Michelle Mone's business success story began with the creation of Ultimo bras, which she skillfully marketed to become a household name in the UK, often embellishing her achievements, such as claiming her bras were used in Hollywood films.

• Her early business endeavors were marked by a bold approach, including an unannounced visit to Selfridges to pitch her product, which led to a significant breakthrough despite initial financial struggles and debt.

• Mone's media savvy and desire for fame kept her in the public eye, leading to her involvement in politics, where she became a Conservative peer, but her business acumen was questioned by critics who pointed out the financial instability of her ventures.

• The COVID-19 pandemic brought further scrutiny as Mone was linked to PPE Medpro, a company involved in controversial government contracts, raising concerns over her connections to Conservative ministers and her financial benefits from these deals.

• Amidst the investigations by the National Crime Agency, Mone admitted to being a conduit for PPE Medpro without acknowledging wrongdoing, while the government seeks substantial compensation for allegedly non-compliant medical supplies provided by the company.

• Mone's public image has suffered greatly, leading to her loss of the Conservative whip and a leave of absence from the House of Lords, while her story remains a prominent example of media-driven success and its potential pitfalls.

• The ongoing investigations and legal battles underscore the complexities of her career, highlighting issues of transparency, influence, and the intersection of business and politics in modern Britain.