06/07/2005

Downing Street defends adviser’s comments

The government’s adviser on anti-social behaviour has been supported by Downing Street, after she was recorded allegedly praising binge drinking.

Several newspapers reportedly obtained copies of a tape containing statements made by Louise Casey, 38, at an event organised by the Home Office and Association for Chief Police Officers in Stratford-Upon-Avon last month.

Ms Casey, who is the head of the Home Office's anti-social behaviour unit, is alleged to have suggested that banning binge-drinking was “nonsense” and said that government ministers might do their jobs better if they were drunk.

On the tape, Ms Casey is reportedly heard to say: “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” and “Doing things sober is no way to get things done”.

The remarks were alleged to have been made during an after-dinner speech.

A spokesperson for Downing Street said that Tony Blair had a “high regard” for Ms Casey, while a Home Office statement said: “Louise Casey is achieving a great deal in leading the campaign to tackle anti-social behaviour.”

However, the Home Office statement also said that Ms Casey was subject to the Civil Service code and stated that her reported remarks would be looked into.

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis commented: “It is ironic that the official Tony Blair has appointed to report to him on anti-social behaviour appears to be an advocate of binge-drinking. Maybe this explains why alcohol-related violent attacks are up 25% and why Labour are so keen to unleash 24-hour drinking.”

(KMcA/GB)


Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

22 October 2013
Home Office Not To Extend 'Go Home' Advertising Van
The Home Office has ruled out extending its controversial "go home" advertising vans to the rest of the UK.
17 April 2009
Green 'Warned Of Life In Prison' Over Home Office Leaks
The Conservative MP who was arrested during an inquiry into Home Office leaks, was warned he would face life imprisonment, he has revealed.
26 February 2009
Communities Fighting Crime In Nottingham
A group of residents in Nottingham, who are working alongside the council and the police to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, watched offenders doing Community Payback as part of a visit by the Crime and Justice adviser, Louise Casey. The group visited the former Eastglade primary school which had suffered from fly-tipping and graffiti.
13 May 2004
Inquiry demanded after theft of sensitive Carr documents
The Tories have called for an immediate inquiry after it emerged last night that documentation concerning the new identity of Maxine Carr had been stolen from a car owned by a Home Office official.
23 October 2014
Home Office Fails To Deport FNOs Despite Increased Resources
The Home Office is failing to deport foreign national offenders (FNOs) in the UK to their home countries. The number of FNOs in prison and the number deported from the UK have remained broadly unchanged since 2006, according to a report by the Nation Audit Office (NAO).