The polemic lunchtime in Downing
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Oliver Dowden |
A cabinet minister sowed new confusion about the blocking rules after saying people MAY use a ¨ lunch time' loophole - although Downing Street insisted they shouldn't.
Oliver Dowden suggested that office workers on levels 2 and 3 could enjoy business lunches in a bar or restaurant - although internal meetings between different families were forbidden.
This is because the law provides for exemption for any meeting "reasonably necessary for work purposes.
Mr Dowden told ITV: "Work includes business functions and that is why the definition has been extended to cover this, of course".
Even so, the Secretary of Culture - who is responsible for the entertainment industry - appeared to contradict number 10 Downing Street.
Boris Johnson's official spokesman twice emphasized that while the 'working lunch' loophole exists legally, it should only be used in specific circumstances.
