Robert Jenrick is facing criticism for moving his family to a £1.1 million country manor during the coronavirus outbreak, despite government advice urging people not to escape to second homes.
The cabinet minister, who recently flouted lockdown rules by visiting his parents, has charged taxpayers more than £100,000 for the home that he appears to use only rarely.
He left his £2.5m London house to move to a 17th-century grade I listed country house in Herefordshire amid the coronavirus crisis.
“Codswallop”
A spokesman for Jenrick said his wife and children moved there before the lockdown, but Matt Hancock, the health secretary, has said such journeys were not “necessary”.
According to reports in The Times, neighbours say he is rarely at the Herefordshire property and builders are a “regular fixture” there.
One described the claim that it was his family home as “codswallop”.
“Insult to constituents enduring lockdown in small flats”
Tory MPs reacted in fury this weekend.
One backbencher said: “Jenrick’s position was already pretty dire, to be honest.
“But to go on the radio and claim you understand what it’s like to be cooped up is an insult to my constituents who are enduring the lockdown in small flats.
“Whether his family were already in that country pile of his or still in his London home, he can’t possibly say that. He really has to go.”
Another Tory MP said: “This really is stretching the definition of cooped up to farcical levels.”
Related: ‘UK missed three chances to join EU scheme to bulk-buy PPE’
Since you are here
Since you are here, we wanted to ask for your help.
Journalism in Britain is under threat. The government is becoming increasingly authoritarian and our media is run by a handful of billionaires, most of whom reside overseas and all of them have strong political allegiances and financial motivations.
Our mission is to hold the powerful to account. It is vital that free media is allowed to exist to expose hypocrisy, corruption, wrongdoing and abuse of power. But we can't do it without you.
If you can afford to contribute a small donation to the site it will help us to continue our work in the best interests of the public. We only ask you to donate what you can afford, with an option to cancel your subscription at any point.
To donate or subscribe to The London Economic, click here.
The TLE shop is also now open, with all profits going to supporting our work.
The shop can be found here.
You can also SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER .
