The Home Office has hired American comedian Ruby Wax as an adviser to its staff, prompting claims that it is a waste of public money.
Wax has been training senior civil servants in leadership and communication, according to the Times.
While the Home Office has refused to disclose Wax’s fee, it admitted she had run 12 half-day workshops involving a small group of officials.
A Home Office employee who attended a Wax workshop said: “Ruby provided some real insights, relevant both to work and wider life. I think having Ruby was very important. It maximised the impact for the long term.”
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Liberal Democrats home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: “At a time when public finances are under huge strain, we surely do not need to pay celebrities to wax lyrical to mandarins.
“Unless American comedians can make the Home Office fit for purpose, the taxpayer won’t be laughing.”
