I have often posted on the antics of one Auditor General Sir John Bourn, a man who has spent tax payers money like the world was going to end the next day. Despite being publicly embarrassed on many occasions as to the degree of his greed, the man obviously can’t help himself.
The Eye has managed to obtain (through the use of the FoI Act) the following mouth watering expense claims:
DINNER WITH A SENIOR GOVERNMENT SUPPLIER AT “THE SQUARE” – £253
DINNER WITH 3 OF HIS STAFF AT “WILTONS” - £500
DINNER WITH A SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL AT “BIBENDUM” - £205
DINNER WITH CROATIAN AUDITORS AT “THE BERKLEY” - £160 PER HEAD
WHILST STAYING IN ST PETERSBURG WITH HIS WIFE HE MANAGED TO RACK UP A BILL OF £1180
159 DINNERS OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS WITH SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ON A ONE TO ONE BASIS, NO MINUTES TAKEN AND NO WITNESSES TO WHAT WAS SAID
Now I’m no expert on overtly posh restaurants, but I would surmise that “The Square” et al were not fish and chip shops or greasy spoon outlets, or even the grandiose heights of a Pizza Hut.
Bourn’s diary commitments also reveal a man sadly lacking in any political judgement.
MONDAY 11TH JUNE 2007 LUNCH AT TERENCE CONRANS BIBENDUM WITH UNKNOWN UK CONTACT - £86.01
MONDAY 11TH JUNE 2007 DINNER WITH A SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL AT WILTONS £199
TUESDAY 12TH JUNE 2007 LUNCH WITH AN NAO COLLEAGUE AND TWO UNSPECIFIED GUESTS AT THE GORING - £222.64
WEDNESDAY 13TH JUNE 2007 PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMISSION MEETS TO DISCUSS ALLEGATIONS OF EXCESSIVE JUNKETING BY THE AUDITOR GENERAL IE BOURN
THURSDAY 14TH JUNE 2007 LUNCH WITH AN UNKNOWN PARLIAMENTARIAN AT BROWNS HOTEL - £120
No details are given for Bourn’s trough activities for Friday. Perhaps he was sick, had burst, was booked in for an enema or simply fancied slumming it with some ham and pickle sarnies and a bag of crisps, much like the rest of us the plebs have to do.
These are the expenses of a man appointed to ensure that the government spends its money wisely.
God help us all!
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