The chairman of the Kovid inquiry has ruled that evidence related to PPE Medpro, a firm associated with Barrows Michelle Mone and her husband Dag Bairon, will be heard in a closed, private session next month.

On March 3, the investigation will start a four -week hearing in the decisions to buy individual safety equipment (PPE) during the epidemic.

Barona Hallet said that she was banning because she was satisfied that if the “sensitive evidence” was publicly heard, there was a danger of prejudice for criminal action.

Groups and media outlets of victims, including the BBC, argued that the dangers were abolished, with the initial stages of police investigation and the content already in the public domain.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) opened an investigation in PPE Medpro in May 2021 in suspected criminal offenses committed in the purchase of PPE.

The company was awarded the government contracts of over £ 200m, when Barrows Mone recommended the firm to the ministers during the Kovid epidemic.

52 -year -old Barrows Mone, and 59 -year -old Mr. Bairon denied the wrongdoing.

In June 2024, NCA said An unnamed 46 year old man From Bharnet in North London, it was arrested as part of its investigation.

To date, no criminal allegations have been brought and the Crown Prosecution Service has not been formally directed by the NCA.

On 9 December 2024, Kovid Inquiry said that he received an application for an ban order from NCA, claiming that there was a danger of loss in its investigation if the sensitive evidence about PPE Medpro was publicly heard.

The NCA originally wanted to stop the investigation by listening to any evidence about the company, saying that “other contracts could be selected”.

This was then asked for the statements of the 26 witnesses written by its employees, and an order should be given to stop some questions about the firm in the inquiry room in a public session.

It argued that those restrictions should include the identity of any person under investigation; Evidence related to the opinion of any government official related to the contracts of PPE Medpro; And evidence about payment to the company and which eventually benefited.

In his presentation, it was said that “there is a realistic possibility that criminal charges against one or more persons would flow from investigation”.

The Health Department later asked the company to widen the terms of any restriction order to include any “financial materials and correspondence” related to the purchase of PPE, although that request has been rejected by investigation.

In His final decisionBarona Hallet said that it was “essential and proportional” to investigate the contracts between the government and the PPE Medpro to investigate the contracts.

But he admitted that in future there was a danger of damage to any criminal action if he allowed all the evidence to be heard publicly.

As a result, any sensitive evidence about the company will be heard in a private, closed hearing, which is expected to be held in late March.

He said that the original application of NCA, which also demanded the members of the press and other organizations excluded from the closed sessions, “ahead of the essential” and “very comprehensive approach”.

Representatives of five media organizations will be invited to participate, but will not be able to report the proceedings until the closing of any criminal case, including the potential appeal.

Barona Hallet said that the decision was in line with previous public inquiries, including the investigation of Novichok poison in Salisbury.

A NCA spokesman said its investigation into PPE Medpro is “a priority”.

“In such cases it may take a long time to ensure that completely, independent and purposeful tests are done,” he said.