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)