Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy has discovered that the infamous 100 person $30,000 Zou Zou’s meal in New York did not receive ministerial approval.
Following a question to the Welsh Government the First Minister has explained that the money came from the ‘International Relations Budget’ and did not require ministerial approval as it was part of the ‘standard’ office overseas costs.
The meal worked out at around £240 per head with Zou Zou’s menu boasting $22 tuna tartare, $28 caramelised cabbage, or a $53 lobster kebab.
Commenting on the news Janet said:
“I am utterly stumped by this. How the First Minister expects that this can be passed of as ‘standard’ office costs is absolute madness.
“$30,000 is a vast sum of money and even if it was being used to promote Wales over the St David’s Day period there surely must be more cost-effective ways to spend taxpayers money.
“While the Welsh Government tells us there's no money in the budget and cuts are unavoidable, they're off living it up in the Big Apple, mocking us all.
“There is a certain whiff of arrogance regarding this dining fiasco. The First Minister’s response seems to imply that she thinks it totally acceptable to spend office costs on 100 person meals. Will she be taking the Welsh public out for a top notch meal anytime soon?
“It highlights the complete disconnect between the ruling elite in Wales and the workers they claim to represent. They're nothing more than wolves in sheep's clothing, and it's time we saw them for what they truly are.”
ENDS
Notes
- Response from First Minister
