Advisor attacks ‘respect’ agenda
The Home Office is looking into reports that a top government advisor on the ‘respect’ agenda described the clampdown on binge drinking as “nonsense”.
Louise Casey heads the anti-social behaviour unit at the Home Office and was recently asked to report directly to Tony Blair on the campaign to restore respect to communities.
But speaking at a meeting of senior police officers and civil servants last month, Ms Casey rubbished what has become a flagship policy for the prime minister’s third term.
According to a recording made by the Daily Mail, she said: “I suppose you can’t binge drink anymore because lots of people have said you can’t do it. I don’t know who bloody made that up, it’s nonsense.”
The 38-year-old reportedly told her audience that ministers might perform better if they “turn up p*****”, adding: “Doing things sober is no way to get things done.”
Miss Casey also threatened to “deck” Downing Street policy advisors who she accused of spouting jargon at her, the newspaper reports.
In a further embarrassing remark, Ms Casey claimed the prime minister had become dissatisfied with home secretary Charles Clarke over his apparent failure to make headway in the fight against anti-social behaviour.
The Home Office has dismissed any talk of a rift with Downing Street and has launched an inquiry into Ms Casey’s actions.
“Louise Casey is achieving a great deal in leading the campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour but like all Home Office employees, she is subject to the Civil Service Code. We are looking into her reported remarks,” a spokeswoman told politics.co.uk.
