United Kingdom's&nbsp;crime agency has been handed a "vast" dossier of evidence against Michelle Mone which includes text messages and emails she exchanged with senior officials and ministers, as per&nbsp;Times report.

A member of Britain's House of Lords, Mone, openly admitted to repeatedly providing false information about her connections to a company during the COVID-19 pandemic and acknowledged that she made an error in denying her ties to PPE Medpro. She also expressed&nbsp;regret for threatening legal action against journalists who reported on her links to the company.

Her claim that everyone in the government already knew of her involvement, was put under scanner this week.

During an interview with BBC, she said that the Cabinet Office had asked her: “We just need you to put it in writing and declare your interest with us, that’s all”.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also said that he was taking the scandal “incredibly seriously”.

Pandemic health minister, Lord Bethell was the very first pandemic health minister to have hit out at his colleague in the upper house, where he posted a text message where Mone referred to PPE Medpro as “they”.

“Michelle Mone wasn’t honest about her financial interest to me,” he said as per the Times. “She didn’t explain ‘from the very beginning’ about her financial ‘involvement’. It wasn’t in her [House of Lords] Register of Interests, as you’d expect. Rishi Sunak is right to take this very seriously.”

A senior Cabinet Office official calling Mone "despicable" said that she pocketed £60 million profit for her family.

“Bethell is right about the House of Lords Register of Interests,” the Times quoted a senior Cabinet Office official as saying. “Never a peep and then Mone pocketed £60 million profit for her family. Now she’s feeling sorry for herself? You couldn’t make it up. I think she’s despicable.”

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“It is categorically false that she declared everything to the department. I’ve gone back and looked through paperwork,” a second source, in the DHSC, said as per the Times report.

<h2>Financial involvement and ownership</h2>

Mone admitted to being a beneficiary of her husband's financial trusts, holding approximately £60 million in profits from the lucrative deal. Despite their financial ties to the company, she argued that they were unfairly targeted in a broader scandal surrounding government spending during the pandemic.

"We've done one thing, which was lie to the press to say we weren't involved," she stated. "I can't see what we've done wrong."

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The controversy surrounding Mone and PPE Medpro has become emblematic of the widespread criticism directed at the British government for hastily awarding&nbsp;contracts and mismanagement of funds for protective equipment. The scandal sheds light on the VIP lanes, a system where companies recommended by politicians receive preferential treatment for public contracts.

Mone, appointed to the House of Lords in 2015 by then-Prime Minister David Cameron, denied using her political connections to advocate for PPE Medpro. The company, established during the pandemic, secured contracts exceeding £200 million but faced scrutiny for delivering millions of unused surgical gowns, leading to breach of contract proceedings.

(With inputs from the agencies)

United Kingdom's crime agency has been handed a "vast" dossier of evidence against Michelle Mone which includes text messages and emails she exchanged with senior officials and ministers, as per Times report.

United Kingdom's crime agency has been handed a "vast" dossier of evidence against Michelle Mone which includes text messages and emails she exchanged with senior officials and ministers, as per Times report. A member of Britain's House of Lords, Mone, openly admitted to repeatedly providing false information about her connections to a company during the COVID-19 pandemic and acknowledged that she made an error in denying her ties to PPE Medpro. She also expressed regret for threatening legal action against journalists who reported on her links to the company. Her claim that everyone in the government already knew of her involvement, was put under scanner this week. During an interview with BBC, she said that the Cabinet Office had asked her: “We just need you to put it in writing and declare your interest with us, that’s all”. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also said that he was taking the scandal “incredibly seriously”. Pandemic health minister, Lord Bethell was the very first pandemic health minister to have hit out at his colleague in the upper house, where he posted a text message where Mone referred to PPE Medpro as “they”. “Michelle Mone wasn’t honest about her financial interest to me,” he said as per the Times. “She didn’t explain ‘from the very beginning’ about her financial ‘involvement’. It wasn’t in her [House of Lords] Register of Interests, as you’d expect. Rishi Sunak is right to take this very seriously.” A senior Cabinet Office official calling Mone "despicable" said that she pocketed £60 million profit for her family. “Bethell is right about the House of Lords Register of Interests,” the Times quoted a senior Cabinet Office official as saying. “Never a peep and then Mone pocketed £60 million profit for her family. Now she’s feeling sorry for herself? You couldn’t make it up. I think she’s despicable.” Also read: Missile strike hits merchant ship off India's coast; crew includes 21 Indians “It is categorically false that she declared everything to the department. I’ve gone back and looked through paperwork,” a second source, in the DHSC, said as per the Times report. Financial involvement and ownership Mone admitted to being a beneficiary of her husband's financial trusts, holding approximately £60 million in profits from the lucrative deal. Despite their financial ties to the company, she argued that they were unfairly targeted in a broader scandal surrounding government spending during the pandemic. "We've done one thing, which was lie to the press to say we weren't involved," she stated. "I can't see what we've done wrong." Also read: Israeli strikes on Gaza killed 200 in 24 hours, says Hamas The controversy surrounding Mone and PPE Medpro has become emblematic of the widespread criticism directed at the British government for hastily awarding contracts and mismanagement of funds for protective equipment. The scandal sheds light on the VIP lanes, a system where companies recommended by politicians receive preferential treatment for public contracts. Mone, appointed to the House of Lords in 2015 by then-Prime Minister David Cameron, denied using her political connections to advocate for PPE Medpro. The company, established during the pandemic, secured contracts exceeding £200 million but faced scrutiny for delivering millions of unused surgical gowns, leading to breach of contract proceedings. (With inputs from the agencies)

Michelle Mone scandal: UK's National crime agency to review 'vast' dossier of evidence

The former Conservative peer Michelle Mone has admitted that she lied when she denied repeatedly having been involved with a company that made millions of pounds in profits from UK government PPE deals during the pandemic.

UK's Michelle Mone PPE scandal escalates

Michelle Mone admits she lied to media over links to PPE firm for family's sake

A member of Britain's House of Lords, Michelle Mone, has openly admitted to repeatedly providing false information about her connections to a company awarded significant government contracts for the supply of protective gear during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mone acknowledged that she made an error in denying her ties to PPE Medpro and expressed regret for threatening legal action against journalists who reported on her links to the company.

Her husband, Doug Barrowman, confirmed his role in leading the consortium that owns PPE Medpro.

In a recent BBC interview, Mone confessed, "I did make an error in saying to the press that I wasn't involved. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I wasn't trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes, and I regret and I'm sorry for not saying straight out, 'Yes, I am involved.'"

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-curious-case-of-alex-batty-british-teen-returns-to-uk-six-years-after-he-went-missing-670487">Also read |&nbsp;Explained | Curious case of Alex Batty: British teen returns to UK six years after he went missing</a>

<h2>Financial involvement and ownership</h2>

Mone admitted to being a beneficiary of her husband's financial trusts, holding approximately £60 million in profits from the lucrative deal. Despite their financial ties to the company, she argued that they were unfairly targeted in a broader scandal surrounding government spending during the pandemic.

"We've done one thing, which was lie to the press to say we weren't involved," she stated. "I can't see what we've done wrong."

The controversy surrounding Mone and PPE Medpro has become emblematic of the widespread criticism directed at the British government for hastily awarded contracts and mismanagement of funds for protective equipment. The scandal sheds light on the VIP lanes, a system where companies recommended by politicians receive preferential treatment for public contracts.

Mone, appointed to the House of Lords in 2015 by then-Prime Minister David Cameron, denied using her political connections to advocate for PPE Medpro. The company, established during the pandemic, secured contracts exceeding £200 million but faced scrutiny for delivering millions of unused surgical gowns, leading to breach of contract proceedings.

Also watch |&nbsp;UK PM Rishi Sunak warns of overwhelming migration

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-pm-rishi-sunak-warns-of-overwhelming-migration-670526/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The National Crime Agency is currently investigating allegations of fraud and bribery related to the contracts. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden defended the VIP lanes, asserting that there was no favouritism or special treatment for government associates. He acknowledged the ongoing civil litigation and criminal investigation, emphasising the government's commitment to addressing any fraudulent activities.

(With inputs from agencies)

A member of Britain's House of Lords, Michelle Mone, has openly admitted to repeatedly providing false information about her connections to a company awarded significant government contracts for the supply of protective gear during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A member of Britain's House of Lords, Michelle Mone, has openly admitted to repeatedly providing false information about her connections to a company awarded significant government contracts for the supply of protective gear during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mone acknowledged that she made an error in denying her ties to PPE Medpro and expressed regret for threatening legal action against journalists who reported on her links to the company. Her husband, Doug Barrowman, confirmed his role in leading the consortium that owns PPE Medpro. In a recent BBC interview, Mone confessed, "I did make an error in saying to the press that I wasn't involved. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I wasn't trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes, and I regret and I'm sorry for not saying straight out, 'Yes, I am involved.'" Also read | Explained | Curious case of Alex Batty: British teen returns to UK six years after he went missing Financial involvement and ownership Mone admitted to being a beneficiary of her husband's financial trusts, holding approximately £60 million in profits from the lucrative deal. Despite their financial ties to the company, she argued that they were unfairly targeted in a broader scandal surrounding government spending during the pandemic. "We've done one thing, which was lie to the press to say we weren't involved," she stated. "I can't see what we've done wrong." The controversy surrounding Mone and PPE Medpro has become emblematic of the widespread criticism directed at the British government for hastily awarded contracts and mismanagement of funds for protective equipment. The scandal sheds light on the VIP lanes, a system where companies recommended by politicians receive preferential treatment for public contracts. Mone, appointed to the House of Lords in 2015 by then-Prime Minister David Cameron, denied using her political connections to advocate for PPE Medpro. The company, established during the pandemic, secured contracts exceeding £200 million but faced scrutiny for delivering millions of unused surgical gowns, leading to breach of contract proceedings. Also watch | UK PM Rishi Sunak warns of overwhelming migration The National Crime Agency is currently investigating allegations of fraud and bribery related to the contracts. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden defended the VIP lanes, asserting that there was no favouritism or special treatment for government associates. He acknowledged the ongoing civil litigation and criminal investigation, emphasising the government's commitment to addressing any fraudulent activities. (With inputs from agencies)

UK parliamentarian Michelle Mone confesses to misleading media about ties to PPE company

The business that received two significant PPE contracts after Michelle Mone, a Conservative peer, recommended it to ministers is been sued by the UK government to collect more than £100 million.

The claim, which has been approved by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), is for the entire £122 million (US$148 million) paid to PPE Medpro under a June 2020 contract for the business to provide 25 million sterile surgical gowns. The DHSC is also attempting to recoup the expenses associated with keeping and discarding the gowns, which its inspectors rejected following an inspection when they arrived at the Daventry NHS warehouse.

In a statement released in December 2020 by a lawyer for its director Anthony Page, the business claimed that the gowns and 210 million face masks provided under a separate deal for £80.85 million had "unquestionably helped keep our NHS personnel safe." The gowns have never really been used in the NHS. PPE Medpro claims the robes were approved for use and that it would "rigorously" defend the lawsuit. The face masks have not been the subject of any legal disputes.

According to data obtained by the Guardian last month and assembled by HSBC bank, £29 million from PPE Medpro earnings was transferred to an offshore trust whose beneficiaries were Lady Mone and her three adult children, according to bank records.

PPE Medpro paid Mone's spouse, Isle of Man-based banker Douglas Barrowman, £70 million, at least £65 million of which came from the company's earnings from the two government contracts. The filings state that Barrowman subsequently made a number of payments from that cash, including the £29 million to Mone's trust.

A lawyer for Mone told the Guardian in response: “There are a number of reasons why our client cannot comment on these issues and she is under no duty to do so.”

Asserting that its gowns "passed quality inspection in China," PPE Medpro stated in a statement that it will "rigorously" defend the legal action. The company also accused the DHSC of making a "cynical" attempt to get its money back since it had significantly overordered PPE. The corporation claimed that the delivery of gowns came after the "successful" delivery of face masks under the first contract.

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The business that received two significant PPE contracts after Michelle Mone, a Conservative peer, recommended it to ministers is been sued by the UK government to collect more than £100 million.

The business that received two significant PPE contracts after Michelle Mone, a Conservative peer, recommended it to ministers is been sued by the UK government to collect more than £100 million. The claim, which has been approved by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), is for the entire £122 million (US$148 million) paid to PPE Medpro under a June 2020 contract for the business to provide 25 million sterile surgical gowns. The DHSC is also attempting to recoup the expenses associated with keeping and discarding the gowns, which its inspectors rejected following an inspection when they arrived at the Daventry NHS warehouse. In a statement released in December 2020 by a lawyer for its director Anthony Page, the business claimed that the gowns and 210 million face masks provided under a separate deal for £80.85 million had "unquestionably helped keep our NHS personnel safe." The gowns have never really been used in the NHS. PPE Medpro claims the robes were approved for use and that it would "rigorously" defend the lawsuit. The face masks have not been the subject of any legal disputes. According to data obtained by the Guardian last month and assembled by HSBC bank, £29 million from PPE Medpro earnings was transferred to an offshore trust whose beneficiaries were Lady Mone and her three adult children, according to bank records. PPE Medpro paid Mone's spouse, Isle of Man-based banker Douglas Barrowman, £70 million, at least £65 million of which came from the company's earnings from the two government contracts. The filings state that Barrowman subsequently made a number of payments from that cash, including the £29 million to Mone's trust. A lawyer for Mone told the Guardian in response: “There are a number of reasons why our client cannot comment on these issues and she is under no duty to do so.” Asserting that its gowns "passed quality inspection in China," PPE Medpro stated in a statement that it will "rigorously" defend the legal action. The company also accused the DHSC of making a "cynical" attempt to get its money back since it had significantly overordered PPE. The corporation claimed that the delivery of gowns came after the "successful" delivery of face masks under the first contract. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

UK government sues Michelle Mone-linked PPE Medpro for US$148 million

Tory peer Michelle Mone will be requesting a leave of absence from the House of Lords "to clear her name" as she finds herself embroiled in a Covid contract corruption scandal. She is alleged to have helped a company get contracts for PPE early into the pandemic and received millions of dollars in return from the profits.&nbsp;She won't be attending sittings of the House, neither will she vote on any proceedings or be able to claim any allowance.&nbsp;

Mone's spokesman said the decision was her own and that the allegations have been "unjustly levelled against her".

A House of Lords spokesman said a decision will be taken after a formal request is received. There are chances that her request is rejected. However, in case she is allowed the leave, she won't have to register any changes to her financial interests.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-tory-peer-michelle-mone-accused-of-trying-to-bully-and-hector-mps-to-secure-ppe-contracts-540086">Tory peer Michelle Mone accused of trying to 'bully and hector' MPs to secure PPE contracts</a>

Baroness Mone has neither voted since April this year, nor has she spoken in a debate since March 2020.

Mone has been accused of lobbying for PPE Medpro at the start of the pandemic in 2020. The company was awarded huge government contracts worth more than £200 million ($246 million) after Mone recommended it to ministers. She and her children in return reportedly secretly received £29 million ($35 million) originating from the profits of the company.&nbsp;

The Sunday Times later reported that she "bullied and hectored" Michael Gove and Lord Agnew to secure business for PPE Medpro. Sources told the publication that she was "rude, abrasive and bullying" and had a "hectoring tone [that] was very irritating.”

Meanwhile, the government will release all correspondence, documents and advice relating to government contracts awarded to PPE Medpro in the matter after Labour won a vote Tuesday. Labour want the documents to be released to the Public Accounts Committee.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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Tory peer Michelle Mone will be requesting a leave of absence from the House of Lords "to clear her name" as she finds herself embroiled in a Covid contract corruption scandal.

Tory peer Michelle Mone will be requesting a leave of absence from the House of Lords "to clear her name" as she finds herself embroiled in a Covid contract corruption scandal. She is alleged to have helped a company get contracts for PPE early into the pandemic and received millions of dollars in return from the profits. She won't be attending sittings of the House, neither will she vote on any proceedings or be able to claim any allowance. Mone's spokesman said the decision was her own and that the allegations have been "unjustly levelled against her". A House of Lords spokesman said a decision will be taken after a formal request is received. There are chances that her request is rejected. However, in case she is allowed the leave, she won't have to register any changes to her financial interests. Also Read | Tory peer Michelle Mone accused of trying to 'bully and hector' MPs to secure PPE contracts Baroness Mone has neither voted since April this year, nor has she spoken in a debate since March 2020. Mone has been accused of lobbying for PPE Medpro at the start of the pandemic in 2020. The company was awarded huge government contracts worth more than £200 million ($246 million) after Mone recommended it to ministers. She and her children in return reportedly secretly received £29 million ($35 million) originating from the profits of the company. The Sunday Times later reported that she "bullied and hectored" Michael Gove and Lord Agnew to secure business for PPE Medpro. Sources told the publication that she was "rude, abrasive and bullying" and had a "hectoring tone [that] was very irritating.” Meanwhile, the government will release all correspondence, documents and advice relating to government contracts awarded to PPE Medpro in the matter after Labour won a vote Tuesday. Labour want the documents to be released to the Public Accounts Committee. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Tory peer Michelle Mone to seek leave of absence from House of Lords 'to clear her name'

A Mega Corruption scandal has hit the Tories. Tory Peer Michelle Mone has been accused of lobbying for a PPE firm & profiting from the sale of masks at double prices. Priyanka Sharma reports.

Gravitas |  Michelle Mone: The baroness who made millions during the pandemic

Conservative peer and British businesswoman Michelle Mone has been accused of lobbying for PPE Medpro at the start of the pandemic in 2020. The company was awarded huge government contracts worth more than £200 million ($246 million) after Mone recommended it to ministers. She and her children in return reportedly secretly received £29 million ($35 million) originating from the profits of the company.&nbsp;

The Sunday Times has now revealed the names of the ministers she had approached for the matter. The publication reported that Mone lobbied Michael Gove and Lord Agnew to secure business for PPE Medpro. Mone reportedly wrote to Gove, who was the Cabinet Office minister at the time, and Agnew, who was his deputy in charge of procurement, on their personal email addresses.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-politics-live-pm-rishi-sunak-set-to-face-opposition-for-first-time-528477">UK politics: Britain's new PM Sunak reinstates fracking ban</a>

She wrote: “We have managed to source PPE masks through my team in Hong Kong. In order to commit to this 100,000 [masks] per day could you please get back to me ASAP as freight will also need to be secured.”

However, since the response was taking too long, Mone approached Agnew through email and telephone. Sources told the publication that she was "rude, abrasive and bullying" and had a "hectoring tone [that] was very irritating.”

Gove is said to have even described her as “a right pain in the arse”.

Guardian reported that as per documents reviewed by the newspaper, a secret offshore trust which had 51-year-old Mone and her children as its beneficiaries received £29 million from the profits made by PPE Medpro. As per bank records, the company supplied face masks and medical gowns.&nbsp;

The matter has led to a huge hue &amp; cry in the parliament, with MPs calling for an investigation into what they called “absolutely sickening, shameful and unforgivable” instances of firms profiteering from political connections over unusable PPE during the pandemic.

Parliamentarians have demanded to know the government’s procurement contracts during the pandemic. One MP said that some of these contracts had since been flagged by Transparency International as a “corruption risk”.

Surprisingly, Mone did not declare PPE Medpro in her House of Lords register of financial interest. Her lawyer had told Guardian last year that “Baroness Mone did not declare any interest as she did not benefit financially and was not connected to PPE Medpro in any capacity".

Guardian also reported last week that her husband, financier Douglas Barrowman, received at least £65 million ($80 million) in profits from PPE Medpro. He later distributed the money through offshore accounts, trusts and companies.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Conservative peer and British businesswoman Michelle Mone has been accused of lobbying for PPE Medpro at the start of the pandemic in 2020. The company was awarded huge government contracts worth more than £200 million ($246 million) after Mone recommended it to ministers.

Conservative peer and British businesswoman Michelle Mone has been accused of lobbying for PPE Medpro at the start of the pandemic in 2020. The company was awarded huge government contracts worth more than £200 million ($246 million) after Mone recommended it to ministers. She and her children in return reportedly secretly received £29 million ($35 million) originating from the profits of the company. The Sunday Times has now revealed the names of the ministers she had approached for the matter. The publication reported that Mone lobbied Michael Gove and Lord Agnew to secure business for PPE Medpro. Mone reportedly wrote to Gove, who was the Cabinet Office minister at the time, and Agnew, who was his deputy in charge of procurement, on their personal email addresses. Also Read | UK politics: Britain's new PM Sunak reinstates fracking ban She wrote: “We have managed to source PPE masks through my team in Hong Kong. In order to commit to this 100,000 [masks] per day could you please get back to me ASAP as freight will also need to be secured.” However, since the response was taking too long, Mone approached Agnew through email and telephone. Sources told the publication that she was "rude, abrasive and bullying" and had a "hectoring tone [that] was very irritating.” Gove is said to have even described her as “a right pain in the arse”. Guardian reported that as per documents reviewed by the newspaper, a secret offshore trust which had 51-year-old Mone and her children as its beneficiaries received £29 million from the profits made by PPE Medpro. As per bank records, the company supplied face masks and medical gowns. The matter has led to a huge hue & cry in the parliament, with MPs calling for an investigation into what they called “absolutely sickening, shameful and unforgivable” instances of firms profiteering from political connections over unusable PPE during the pandemic. Parliamentarians have demanded to know the government’s procurement contracts during the pandemic. One MP said that some of these contracts had since been flagged by Transparency International as a “corruption risk”. Surprisingly, Mone did not declare PPE Medpro in her House of Lords register of financial interest. Her lawyer had told Guardian last year that “Baroness Mone did not declare any interest as she did not benefit financially and was not connected to PPE Medpro in any capacity". Guardian also reported last week that her husband, financier Douglas Barrowman, received at least £65 million ($80 million) in profits from PPE Medpro. He later distributed the money through offshore accounts, trusts and companies. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UK: Tory peer Michelle Mone accused of trying to 'bully and hector' MPs to secure PPE contracts

Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, MJ Akbar, has compared metaphorically Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project to &quot;a dove in a storm&quot;, saying, &quot;we must protect it with all our will and capacity.&quot;

&quot;TAPI will traverse through space and seasons of violence. We have full faith in Afghanistan&#39;s commitment to secure transmission and in the courage of its security forces - but the responsibility must also be shared,&quot; Akbar, said at the inauguration ceremony for the construction of the TAPI pipeline in Afghanistan&#39;s Herat on Friday.

&quot;Every partner must make a solemn commitment to act against terrorists, who hurt the welfare of the people; and to deny terrorists sanctuary and safety. TAPI is a dove in a storm; we must protect it with all our will and capacity,&quot; he added.

The minister assured that India is fully committed to fulfilling its part in this visionary project and that it will honour its responsibilities and obligations.

The minister underscored the TAPI&#39;s significance to India.

&quot;TAPI is important for India as it completely integrates with our energy management goals. Our need for clean energy is huge and growing. At present, we are the fourth biggest importer of LNG, yet need much more gas from various sources,&quot; Akbar noted.

The minister also urged to make &quot;TAPI into a People&#39;s Pipeline.&quot;

&quot;Let us make TAPI into a People&#39;s Pipeline, reaffirming our resolve of development seeded by a principle: that people are more important than governments; that the poor are more important than elites; and power is potent only when it becomes an agent of service to the masses,&quot; Akbar remarked at the ground-breaking ceremony of the TAPI gas pipeline project in Turkmenistan&#39;s Serhetabad.

The 1,814 km-long gas pipeline will feed Turkmenistan gas to Afghanistan, Pakistan and finally to India.

Both the events in Afghanistan and Turkmenistan respectively were also attended by Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, and Afghanistan&#39;s President Ashraf Ghani.

The project is a rare show of cooperation between Pakistan and India as well as the often contentious neighbours Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The pipeline will have a capacity to carry 33 billion cubic meters gas from Turkmenistan to Pakistan and India through Afghanistan.

Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, MJ Akbar, has compared metaphorically Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project to "a dove in a storm", saying, "we must protect it with all our will and capacity.

Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, MJ Akbar, has compared metaphorically Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project to "a dove in a storm", saying, "we must protect it with all our will and capacity." "TAPI will traverse through space and seasons of violence. We have full faith in Afghanistan's commitment to secure transmission and in the courage of its security forces - but the responsibility must also be shared," Akbar, said at the inauguration ceremony for the construction of the TAPI pipeline in Afghanistan's Herat on Friday. "Every partner must make a solemn commitment to act against terrorists, who hurt the welfare of the people; and to deny terrorists sanctuary and safety. TAPI is a dove in a storm; we must protect it with all our will and capacity," he added. The minister assured that India is fully committed to fulfilling its part in this visionary project and that it will honour its responsibilities and obligations. The minister underscored the TAPI's significance to India. "TAPI is important for India as it completely integrates with our energy management goals. Our need for clean energy is huge and growing. At present, we are the fourth biggest importer of LNG, yet need much more gas from various sources," Akbar noted. The minister also urged to make "TAPI into a People's Pipeline." "Let us make TAPI into a People's Pipeline, reaffirming our resolve of development seeded by a principle: that people are more important than governments; that the poor are more important than elites; and power is potent only when it becomes an agent of service to the masses," Akbar remarked at the ground-breaking ceremony of the TAPI gas pipeline project in Turkmenistan's Serhetabad. The 1,814 km-long gas pipeline will feed Turkmenistan gas to Afghanistan, Pakistan and finally to India. Both the events in Afghanistan and Turkmenistan respectively were also attended by Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, and Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani. The project is a rare show of cooperation between Pakistan and India as well as the often contentious neighbours Pakistan and Afghanistan. The pipeline will have a capacity to carry 33 billion cubic meters gas from Turkmenistan to Pakistan and India through Afghanistan.

'Waste of a man’s white skin': UK MP Michelle Mone allegedly sent racist message to Indian-origin man

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