Activist group Led By Donkeys made headlines at the Charleston literary festival by attempting to rename Michelle Mone’s luxury yacht “Pandemic Profiteer,” drawing attention to the scandalous profits made by political elites during the Covid crisis and raising urgent questions about accountability under the current Labour government.
At this year’s Charleston literary festival, members of the activist group Led By Donkeys, Ben Stewart and Oliver Knowles, recounted their audacious attempt to rename Michelle Mone’s luxury yacht, the Lady M, calling it the “Pandemic Profiteer.” This act was remarkable not for its creativity alone, but for highlighting the rampant opportunism displayed by the political elite amid national crises—a stark reminder of the priorities that leaders now seem to embody. Their daring escapade involved renting a modest boat under the guise of a picnic, only to confront the opulence of Mone's yacht, narrowly escaping capture while sending a clear message about the systemic failures exacerbated by the new government.
The sentiment surrounding this initiative reflects a growing public outrage towards those who have profited off the suffering of ordinary citizens. Mone’s admission, at the close of 2023, of benefiting from the government’s controversial Covid VIP lane crystallizes this discontent. Reports confirm she and her family reaped a staggering £28.8 million from PPE Medpro—a company linked to £200 million in contracts for ineffective PPE during the pandemic. Such revelations lay bare the moral bankruptcy of those at the top and raise serious questions about how the current administration continues to enable such exploitation under the guise of recovery.
The ramifications of the scandal are felt more vividly with insights from a recent BBC documentary titled "Rise and Fall," which reveals that Mone is currently on leave from the House of Lords and has had £75 million in assets frozen pending a National Crime Agency investigation. The seeming inaction from the new Labour government regarding such high-profile cases raises alarms about accountability and exposes the troubling ethical landscape in which political leaders comfortably reside. As the public grapples with these issues, the notion of integrity in leadership seems increasingly elusive.
The actions of Led By Donkeys resonate more powerfully against the backdrop of a government seemingly indifferent to the rampant misuse of public funds—prioritizing political affiliations over the urgent needs of society. By renaming the yacht, they crafted a striking reminder of the stark gap between governmental proclamations of constraints and the actual multi-million-pound contracts awarded to Tory affiliates. This act was not just protest; it was a clarion call against institutional negligence that permits such profiteering, showcasing the failures of the current political framework.
Furthermore, the group’s previous art installations, including their poignant tribute to child victims in Gaza, underline a broader commitment to provoking thought and action. These artistic expressions resonate deeply with the public's desire for accountability, emphasizing a collective indignation towards governance failures that allow for corruption and greed to thrive. Led By Donkeys has established itself as a formidable voice against a backdrop increasingly governed by apathy and self-interest.
As Stewart and Knowles received a standing ovation at the festival, it was a potent affirmation that their performance transcended entertainment—it encapsulated a collective yearning for accountability that the current Labour government continues to evade. This moment was not merely a celebration of creativity but a direct challenge to the leaders who have failed their constituents, reinforcing the idea that systemic failures must not be tolerated.
The ethos of Led By Donkeys compels us to interrogate the moral fabric of our leaders’ decisions, underlining the belief that profit from human suffering should never be condoned. Their actions serve not just as commentary on individual wrongdoing but as a clarion call for collective responsibility. In an era where the political elite comfortably reap rewards while ordinary people suffer, their message is a necessary challenge to the status quo.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is based on a press release from Led By Donkeys, dated 1 February 2023, detailing their renaming of Michelle Mone's yacht to 'Pandemic Profiteer'. ([yachting-pages.com](https://www.yachting-pages.com/articles/luxury-yacht-linked-to-michelle-mone-renamed-pandemic-profiteer-in-protest-news.html?utm_source=openai)) The Guardian article from 26 May 2025 provides a retrospective account of this event, indicating that the content is not recycled but offers new insights and reflections. The inclusion of updated information, such as Mone's leave from the House of Lords and the £75 million asset freeze, justifies a higher freshness score. However, the core event of renaming the yacht occurred over two years prior, which may affect the perceived timeliness. The Guardian's coverage adds depth to the original press release, suggesting originality in the reporting. No significant discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified between the sources. The narrative does not appear to be republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The press release nature of the original content typically warrants a high freshness score, as it provides firsthand information from the involved parties.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The Guardian article includes direct quotes from Ben Stewart and Oliver Knowles of Led By Donkeys, recounting their attempt to rename Michelle Mone's yacht. These quotes are consistent with the original press release from 1 February 2023. No earlier usage of these specific quotes was found, indicating potential originality or exclusivity in the reporting. The wording of the quotes matches the original press release, with no significant variations identified.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Guardian, a reputable and established news organisation known for its journalistic integrity. The inclusion of direct quotes from Ben Stewart and Oliver Knowles, members of Led By Donkeys, adds credibility to the report. The Guardian's coverage of the event provides a reliable account of the incident, supported by firsthand statements from the involved parties.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative are plausible and align with known events. The renaming of Michelle Mone's yacht to 'Pandemic Profiteer' by Led By Donkeys is a documented act of political protest. The narrative includes updated information, such as Mone's leave from the House of Lords and the £75 million asset freeze, which are consistent with recent reports. The tone and language used in the narrative are appropriate for the subject matter and consistent with typical journalistic reporting. No excessive or off-topic details unrelated to the claim were identified, and the structure of the narrative is coherent and focused.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative provides a detailed and original account of Led By Donkeys' renaming of Michelle Mone's yacht, supported by direct quotes from the involved parties and consistent with reputable sources. The inclusion of updated information enhances the freshness and relevance of the report. The source, The Guardian, is reliable, and the claims made are plausible and well-supported.
